Bird flu on our doorstep: Six farms shut down as ‘highly contagious’ strain hits France

They were slaughtered as soon as the first suspected cases appeared on Friday.

Ms Cauzaubon, herself a duck farmer, added: “Having animals under cover does not prevent the introduction of the virus [into the farms] but reduces its spread.

“We must be very vigilant, but also remain confident, because we are not in the same situation as the previous crisis.”

A control zone has since been put in place in 34 parts of the region, including a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone around the outbreaks.