Avian flu: what is the status of the outbreak in France? Transmission to man? Symptoms?

The avian flu, caused by stumps has the influenza virus, mainly affects birds.In some rare cases, the virus can cross the species barrier and contaminate humans.How to protect yourself?What are the symptoms that should alert?What treatments?

Definition: What is avian flu?

Aviary flu (avian influenza) is a disease of animal origin, caused by type A fluid viruses, in particular the H5, H7 and H9 subtypes.

Almost all species of wild birds can be affected

This infection can affect almost all species of wild (essentially aquatic), domestic and ornamental birds.It is generally asymptomatic in wild birds, but can become strongly contagious and cause extremely high mortality in industrial and turkey farms, hence its nicknames "avian plague" or "chicken ebola".Ducks, swans, geese, but also seagulls or waders are the main "natural tanks" of said-virus.

In some cases, it can infect other animal species, such as pigs, horses, visons, or even seals.

Epidemic 2021-2022: What is the situation in France?

Friday, November 5, 2021, the level of risk against avian flu was noted, going from "moderate" to "high" throughout the metropolitan territory."The evolution of the avian influenza epizootic in Europe today leads us to note the level of risk and take the necessary measures to guarantee the protection of our sectors. I therefore call for everyone's responsibility.State services are and will be fully mobilized alongside them, "said Julien Denormandie, Minister of Agriculture and Food.

Since the beginning of August 2021, many highly pathogenic avianza centers (IAHP) have been detected in wildlife or in farms in Europe.Twenty-nine countries are now affected throughout the European continent, which lists nearly 400 fans in breeding and 700 cases in wildlife in early January 2022 (source 1).

The first Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Foyer (IAHP) was detected on November 26, 2021, in a commercial breeding of laying hens in the commune of Warhem (North). In other farms have since been affected and new cases have been detectedIn wildlife.On December 16, an H5N1 type household was confirmed in a duck farm ready to take over from the town of Manciet, in the Gers."This is the first poultry home highlighted in the southwest since the start of this new episode."

As of January 14, 2022, France has:

Health police measures are taken whenever a household is detected to prevent any dissemination of the virus:

When it comes to confirmed cases in wildlife, temporary control areas (ZCT) are set up.

What measures to prevent the transmission of the virus in France?

According to a decree published in the Official Journal on November 4, all poultry and bird breeders must lock their animals (clearings or nets of low-short) to avoid contacts with migratory birds, potentially carrying the avian flu.Other measures are put in place:

"These measures are intended to protect domestic poultry from potential contamination. They are accompanied by daily clinical surveillance in all farms (commercial and non -commercial) in order to detect any appearance of the virus as quickly as possible. In zonesAt high risk of dissemination, direct debits before movement will be taken and only the people essential to the operation of farms will be able to enter it. Professionals in the foie gras sector have engaged in the reduction in density in the areas affected by previous crises, atThe approach of this risk period, "said the ministry.

As a reminder, last winter (2020-2021), France has identified nearly 500 homes of avian influenza in poultry farms, mainly in the southwest.More than 3.5 million poultry have been shot, mainly ducks.

Can the avian flu virus be transmitted to humans?

Avian flu is very rarely transmitted to man.However, the threat is still real: the spread of infection in birds increases the probability of the appearance of a new influenza virus in the human population.

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Tuesday, June 1, 2021, China reported the first human infection in the world by the H10N3 avian influenza strain.However, the country aims to be reassuring and specifies that the risk of spread among the population remains low.He is a 41 -year -old man admitted to the hospital with symptoms of fever in the eastern city of Zhenjiang on April 28.A month later, the diagnosis was made."The risk of large -scale spread is extremely low," said the NHC, adding that humans were in a stable state and that his close contact had noted any "anomaly".The NHC said that no H10N3 human case had been reported in the world before.

Until then, out of 144 strains of type A influenza virus, only four subtypes of viruses had sometimes managed to cross the species barrier: H5N1, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2.The most frequent is the H5N1 avian flu virus, spotted for the first time in 1997, during an epidemic in Hong Kong.It has been reappeared several times since the end of 2003 in several Asian countries.The other three virus subtypes have struck sporadically, mainly in Asia and the Middle East.Some, like the H5N8, manage to contaminate man in an exceptional way.

Contamination: How is the virus transmitted?

Most contamination occurs following direct, narrow and frequent contact with infected birds, or with their environment.Viruses are mainly transmitted to humans by aerial contamination, especially when the droppings of dry birds and turns into dust before being inhaled.

It can also be transmitted by direct and prolonged contact with the faeces of sick animals or indirectly via contaminated materials (equipment, clothing, water).

Note: the disease is not transmitted by food.

What are the symptoms of avian flu in humans?

The symptoms of avian flu are the same as those of seasonal flu:

The severity of the disease and its lethality tend to be higher but vary depending on the viral strain.In some cases, the disease can be complicated in pneumonia.

The incubation period is between five and fifteen days.

Who are most at risk of contracting the disease?

What are the people at risk of developing a serious form?

As with other infectious diseases, children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain pathologies (cancer, asthma, etc.) are more vulnerable and may present more severe complications.

In case of influenza symptoms after close contact with infected birds or poultry, or with a soiled environment, quickly consult a doctor.

Prevention advice

One of the main safety measures to stem the disease is to observe good hygiene practices (regular hand washing, the use of hydroalcoholic gel, wearing a mask).

During a trip to a country infected with avian flu, it is recommended not to approach wild volatiles, to avoid contact with poultry on the markets, to avoid surfaces contaminated by excrement orBird secretions.

In any event, it takes between 6 and 8 months to develop a pandemic vaccine, hence the importance of antiviral treatments to fight the pandemic at first.These antivirals inhibit the activity of an enzyme of the virus, Neuraminidase.They can be used in curative treatment, and one of them as a preventive.

The consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs presents no risk for humans.However, the World Health Organization recalls that poultry and derivative products must be sufficiently cooked and properly handled when being prepared (no "pink" flesh and no yellow that "flows").

How do you know if you have avian flu?

The possibility of an infection must be considered in any individual with symptoms while it is exposed to birds in epidemic periods.Similarly if a person returns from a region where the transmission of the virus is important, or has been in contact with infected people.

Specific tests can be carried out on request from a doctor.A swab (a kind of long cotton swab) will be used to take potentially infectious cells in the nose of a patient.It will be deposited in a liquid medium in order to preserve the virus, then tested in the laboratory.The analyzes can also be carried out on sputum, via endotracheal suction or a bronchoalveolar washing liquid.

How to treat avian flu?

The treatment proposed to patients is said to be symptomatic (it helps to combat symptoms).For example, paracetamol is offered against fever.

Two antiviral treatments can be effective against avian influenza: Tamiflu® (Oséltamivir) and Rellanza® (zanamivir).To be effective, they should be administered at the latest within forty-eight hours after the appearance of the first symptoms.

Antibiotics are not used to treat avian flu because they are inactive against viruses.Their use is only recommended in case of bacterial infection.

To date, no vaccine is authorized against avian flu.And the seasonal flu vaccine is not effective.

Source 1: "Aviary influenza: the situation in France", Ministry of Agriculture and Food, January 14, 2021

Avian flu, Pasteur Institute

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Aviary in humans, World Health Organization (WHO)

Associated drugs