Mozambique Bans Poultry Imports From Zimbabwe Fearing Avian Flu Outbreak

No domestic poultry, wild birds, hatching eggs, day old chicks, fresh meat from birds and their derivatives will be imported from Zimbabwe to Mozambique following avian flu outbreak.

National Veterinary Directive (DINAV) announced the temporary ban lately after avian flu outbreak was notified on a poultry farm in Mashonaland East province that resulted with destruction of 715,000 chickens.

The avian flu reported in Zimbabwe is the most damaging type among other strains of it and is known as H5N8. The flu is very contagious and lethal as well to poultry. The mortality rate is 100 percent.

According to Americo Conceicao, the National Veterinary Director in Mozambique, the virus can be transmitted easily through vehicles, clothing, chicken feed and equipment which are contaminated.

Conceicao added the wild birds help in transmission of avian flu virus and so the government will be taking vigilance step in the production units of the country’s poultry farms.

He continued all the mortality cases should be notified to the government immediately for further measures to be taken.

It is also learned the poultry producers are urged to notify the veterinary authorities about problems with the breathing of birds or their nervous system.

Outsiders are temporarily banned to enter poultry farms as they may unwittingly be carrying the virus with them.

As of now no cases of H5N8 has been reported in humans in Mozambique, but safety measures are necessary to avoid contamination risks.