Faced with the current spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Europe and France, Public Health France recalls preventive measures to avoid the risk of transmission to humans. Europe is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) ever known, mainly due to H5Nx1 viruses.
In France, several outbreaks on livestock have been detected since the end of November 2023, which has led the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen surveillance of virus transmission and prevention measures1. Avian influenza is an animal disease that can sometimes be transmitted to humans, but the transmission of these viruses to humans remains a rare phenomenon.
Public Health France has implemented surveillance of human cases of zoonotic influenza, based on the monitoring of clinical suspicions of influenza of avian or swine origin reported by health professionals. In terms of prevention, Public Health France has developed an information leaflet on avian and swine flu, available download.
In the current context of circulation of human, avian and swine influenza viruses on the national territory, it is important to recall the importance of vaccination against seasonal influenza for professionals exposed to avian and swine viruses.
 Frank Verain
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15/01/2024 | 
