France reports bird flu outbreak on northern farm

PARIS (Reuters) -France has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, on a farm in the north of the country, authorities said, as Europe faces a seasonal upturn in the deadly disease.

The virus was detected at a pheasant and partridge breeding farm in the village of Pihen-Les-Guines, near the port town of Calais, the local prefecture said in a statement. The farm's entire flock will be culled while poultry within 10 km of the affected farm are to be kept indoors, it said.

The spread of bird flu worldwide in recent years has disrupted poultry production and raised fears of human transmission.

France is starting its third annual vaccination campaign against bird flu, which covers farm ducks. The government has credited the policy with curbing the disease.

The French agriculture ministry did not immediately comment on whether the outbreak would change the country's alert level for bird flu, currently set at its lowest, or its bird flu-free status that has an impact on international trade.

(Reporting by Gus Trompiz; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)