France Elevates Avian Influenza Risk to High Amid Rising Outbreaks

On October 22, 2025, the French government raised the national risk level for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) from moderate to high due to increasing outbreaks and virus spread among migratory birds across Europe, including key migration corridors in France. This escalation follows multiple outbreaks detected in poultry farms located in Pas-de-Calais, Loire Atlantique, Lot-et-Garonne, and Vendée. The initial outbreak was reported on October 10 in Pas-de-Calais.

To curb the virus's transmission, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented stringent preventive measures. These include enhanced health monitoring with daily clinical surveillance of commercial farms, confinement or sheltering of poultry to reduce contact with wild birds, and mandatory covering of transport vehicles for ducks. Additionally, the gathering of poultry is prohibited unless exemptions are granted, and there are specific restrictions on transporting and using decoys for certain categories of holders.

Vaccination campaigns targeting commercial farms housing over 250 ducks have been underway since October 1, 2023, aiming to limit farm-to-farm spread. These measures align with the ministerial decree dated September 25, 2023, and are crucial to protect the domestic poultry industry from contamination that could severely impact trade and exports.

According to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, these intensified controls are necessary given the persistent spread among migratory birds and the risks posed to both wild and domestic bird populations. The government urges all poultry holders to strictly adhere to these biosafety protocols to mitigate the disease's impact and safeguard the sector.