Highly pathogenic influenza A viruses (infection with) (non-poultry including wild birds),
France
Information received on 08/12/2020 from Dr Loic Evain, Directeur Général adjoint, CVO, Direction générale de l'alimentation, Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Paris, France
Summary
Report type Follow-up report No. 1
Date of start of the event 23/11/2020
Date of confirmation of the event 27/11/2020
Report date 07/12/2020
Date submitted to OIE 08/12/2020
Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
Causal agent Highly pathogenic influenza A virus
Serotype H5N8
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
Related reports Immediate notification (01/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 1 (07/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 2 (09/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 3 (14/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 4 (18/12/2020)
Follow-up report No. 5 (30/12/2020)
New outbreaks (2)
Outbreak 1 (SAGIR 109582) Pornichet, pornichet, Loire-Atlantique
Date of start of the outbreak 30/11/2020
Outbreak status Resolved (30/11/2020)
Epidemiological unit Not applicable
Affected animals
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
Brent Goose:Branta bernicla(Anatidae) 1 1 0 0
Affected population On Brent goose (Branta bernicla) was found dead in the framework of the passive surveillance of wildlife by the SAGIR network (French Biodiversity Office and National Hunters' Federation). The commune is in a wetland area, defined as being at particular risk with regard to avian influenza in connection with migration corridors. The first-line diagnosis limited to the M protein was confirmed by the national reference laboratory using a rapid, unofficial method, followed by a sequencing method. Sequencing analyses conducted by the national reference laboratory on 7 December 2020 show that the virus is closely related to the sequences of the highly pathogenic H5 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses circulating in recent weeks in Russia, Northern Europe, and France.
Outbreak 2 (SAGIR 128256) Fraimbois, Fraimbois, Meurthe-Et-Moselle
Date of start of the outbreak 01/12/2020
Outbreak status Resolved (01/12/2020)
Epidemiological unit Not applicable
Affected animals
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
Mute Swan:Cygnus olor(Anatidae) 3 3 0 0
Affected population Three swans (Cygnus olor) were found dead in the framework of the passive surveillance of wildlife by the SAGIR network (French Biodiversity Office and National Hunters' Federation). The commune is in a wetland area, defined as being at particular risk with regard to avian influenza in connection with migration corridors. The first-line diagnosis limited to the M protein was confirmed by the national reference laboratory using a rapid, unofficial method, followed by a sequencing method. Sequencing analyses conducted by the national reference laboratory on 7 December 2020 show that the virus is closely related to the sequences of the highly pathogenic H5 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses circulating in recent weeks in Russia, Northern Europe, and France.
Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 2
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
Brent Goose:Branta bernicla(Anatidae) 1 1 0 0
Mute Swan:Cygnus olor(Anatidae) 3 3 0 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Brent Goose:Branta bernicla(Anatidae) ** ** 100.00% **
Mute Swan:Cygnus olor(Anatidae) ** ** 100.00% **
*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
**Not calculated because of missing information
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Contact with wild species
Epidemiological comments The first-line diagnosis limited to the M protein was confirmed by the national reference laboratory by a rapid, unofficial method and then by a sequencing method. Neuraminidase could not be identified due to the low viral load. Sequencing analyses carried out by the national reference laboratory on 1st December 2020 show that the virus is closely related to the sequences of the highly pathogenic H5 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses circulating in recent weeks in Russia, Northern Europe and France.
Control measures
Measures applied
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • No other measures
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
Anses - Ploufragan-Plouzanet-Niort Laboratory, Ploufragan site (National laboratory) Brent Goose real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 04/12/2020 Positive
Anses - Ploufragan-Plouzanet-Niort Laboratory, Ploufragan site (National laboratory) Brent Goose virus sequencing 07/12/2020 Positive
Anses - Ploufragan-Plouzanet-Niort Laboratory, Ploufragan site (National laboratory) Mute Swan real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 04/12/2020 Positive
Anses - Ploufragan-Plouzanet-Niort Laboratory, Ploufragan site (National laboratory) Mute Swan virus sequencing 07/12/2020 Positive
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
Map of outbreak locations