France has reported an outbreak of extremely pathogenic H5N1 hen flu amongst crimson foxes northeast of Paris, the World Organisation for Animal Well being (WOAH) mentioned on Tuesday, because the unfold of the virus to mammals raised international issues.
After three foxes have been discovered lifeless in a nature reserve in Meaux close to the place gulls had died, one of many foxes was collected and examined, WOAH mentioned in a report, citing French authorities.
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The World Well being Group final month described the hen flu state of affairs as “worrying” as a result of latest rise in circumstances in birds and mammals and that it was reviewing its international danger evaluation in mild of latest developments together with circumstances of human transmission in Cambodia.
Avian influenza, generally referred to as hen flu, has been spreading around the globe previously 12 months, killing greater than 200 million birds, sending egg costs rocketing and elevating concern amongst governments about human transmission.
Additionally learn: Flu specialists meet over H5N1 risk to people amid report hen deaths globally
The virus contaminated a cat in France in late December.
It has additionally been detected in minks in Spain, foxes and otters in Britain, sea lions in Peru and grizzly bears in the USA.