Progression of epizootic hemorrhagic disease: 53 outbreaks recorded in France

53 outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EMD), which mainly affects cattle, have been recorded in France, a significant and rapid progression of the epizootic which affects five departments in the south-west of the country, according to the latest report published Friday by the Ministry of Agriculture. On September 29, the ministry reported 19 outbreaks of this disease, which does not infect humans. In eight days, the number of homes has almost tripled.

As of October 5, France has counted MHE outbreaks in the departments of Hautes-Pyrénées (30 outbreaks), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (12 outbreaks), Haute-Garonne (8 outbreaks), Gers (2 outbreaks) and Landes. (1 household), the ministry told AFP. Furthermore, “a case of MHE infection of deer was detected in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The animal was located near cattle farms which had themselves declared the disease,” according to the press release. Transmitted by biting midges, the disease mainly affects deer and cattle. It causes fever, weight loss, mouth lesions, breathing difficulties, lameness.

In deer, it can trigger hemorrhagic syndrome, hence its name. In cattle, it is fatal in less than 1% of cases, according to experts. A security perimeter, with a radius of 150 kilometers around a farm infected with the virus, was set up on September 25, accompanied by an exit ban for the animals - although with several exceptions such as a trip to the slaughterhouse. The detection of new outbreaks led the authorities “to extend the list of departments affected by the restricted zone”, extended to part of three new departments (Aveyron, Dordogne, Hérault).

“The situation remains evolving,” we emphasize. The “surveillance zone” now concerns entirely or partially 15 departments: it entirely includes Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne, and also concerns part of Gironde, Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, Aveyron, Dordogne and Hérault.

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“Any animal required to leave the regulated zone linked to confirmed outbreaks of this disease must have previously undergone a laboratory screening test attesting to the absence of contamination, in addition to the disinsection already planned,” indicated last week the ministry. The Ministry of Agriculture also announces that "Spain is once again authorizing imports of young French cattle" and that "negotiations are continuing with France's other trading partners."

After closing its borders at the end of September following the announcement of the first outbreaks of MHE on cattle farms in France, “Spain has given its agreement in principle to the reopening of its French animal market. Trade flows of young cattle will thus resume towards all of mainland Spain (and unconditionally for the affected Spanish areas),” according to the press release. Spain itself has been affected by the disease since November 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture “is also actively continuing discussions with the Italian authorities, as well as with Greece and Algeria, to reopen the markets which have been temporarily closed to all or part of French territory.