Zambia has with immediate effect banned the importation of poultry and related products as a precautionary measure to avoid bird flu, an official said on Saturday.
Central Board of Health spokesperson Victor Mukonka said Zambia has been put on alert over the avian influenza following the migration of birds from the northern hemisphere to the south.
”We have temporarily stopped poultry and related products entering our borders,” Mukonka said in a statement.
He said health officials have began screening all passengers arriving in Zambia at the airport, while veterinary officers are monitoring the migration of birds in the country.
”There is a possibility that Zambia may be affected because of migrating birds, hence the need for strategic measures,” Mukonka said.
He said the government is also putting in place awareness programmes in communities so that people can begin reporting sudden deaths of birds and people complaining of severe flu.
”People must report any form of increase in the deaths of birds,” Mukonka said.
He said Zambia has available emergency drugs to cater for only 200 people in the event that bird flu breaks out in this Southern African country of about 10-million. — Sapa-AFP