Overview
- Health risk has been reassessed as low for the general public and low to moderate for highly exposed workers, with no human cases confirmed in France.
- Active surveillance (SAGA) now covers the whole country, adding PCR testing for exposed individuals, isolation if a case is confirmed, and contact screening.
- About 80% of affected farms are in Vendée, and Vendée, Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, and Deux-Sèvres have been placed under reinforced protection.
- Farm biosafety rules have been tightened and vaccination remains mandatory for duck flocks over 250 birds to reduce viral pressure.
- Wild mammal infections in France have included four foxes and one otter, and officials note a recent fatal H5N5 human infection reported in the United States.