PARIS

Avian influenza outbreaks continue to ravage the poultry sector in France, leading to the culling of over a million birds in the southwest region.

Since the first case was detected in mid-November, the number of outbreaks has increased to 264.

In a statement released on Friday, the Food and Agriculture Ministry said as a preventive measure 1.116 million poultry, mostly ducks, have been culled in the municipalities of Gers, Landes, Pyrenees-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrenees.

Around 12 cases have been recorded outside the south-west region.

The highly contagious H5N8 virus was also found to have spread among wildlife. Authorities recorded at least 10 deaths among wild birds due to the virus.

To control the risk of spreading the virus, the movement of poultry has been prohibited in these areas.

The H5N8 virus exclusively affects birds and is not transmissible to humans through the consumption of meat or eggs.