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Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in chickens in FranceOn December 4, 2015, the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) published an update on the global situation regarding avian influenza viruses following the emergence in France in late November of outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in chickens. Enhanced surveillance has identified, as of December 18, 29 confirmed outbreaks of H5 avian influenza in five departments in the southwest (to which a sixth department was recently added). To date, two subtypes (H5N1, H5N2) have been identified in these departments. The A(H5N1) virus is not related to the one that emerged in Asia, but resembles the low-pathogenic A(H5N1) viruses that have circulated in Europe and for which no human cases have been reported. No human cases of influenza caused by A(H5N1) have been detected in France. No human cases of influenza caused by A(H5N2) have been reported worldwide. When avian influenza viruses circulate in poultry, sporadic infections and small clusters of human cases are possible among people exposed to infected poultry or contaminated environments, particularly in households and live poultry markets. Human-to-human transmission of the A(H5N1) virus and its reassortants has never been observed. The risk of foodborne transmission—that is, through the consumption of eggs or meat—is considered extremely low. People with direct contact with sick birds or poultry, or with their carcasses (farmers, veterinarians, and workers involved in slaughter or processing) are at potential risk. People at risk of exposure should therefore wear personal protective equipment. Those who have been exposed to the virus should be monitored for at least 10 days.The current definition of a possible case of avian influenza is "any person presenting clinical signs of severe acute lower respiratory infection (requiring hospitalization) with no other identified etiology capable of explaining the condition and who, within 10 days prior to the onset of symptoms: - has traveled to or stayed in exposed areas outside France- or has been in close, unprotected contact with poultry (farms, slaughterhouses, force-feeding, etc.), particularly feathers, droppings, and animal residues during cleaning and disinfection processes, in the French departments where the highly pathogenic H5 virus has been detected (Dordogne, Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, Haute-Vienne)." All such individuals must be reported to the Samu Centre 15. The list of exposed areas is available on the InVS website