Namibia suspends poultry imports from South Africa over bird flu

 

Namibia on Thursday suspended all poultry and bird imports from neighboring South Africa following an avian flu outbreak there.

Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, said the suspension is in place as a pre-cautionary measure in the next 21 days.

She said so far there have not been any imported cases recorded in Namibia and they are monitoring the situation in South Africa.

All consignments containing poultry products from South Africa, she said, will be blocked at the point of entry or sent back.

All current valid import permits for poultry products have also been suspended with immediate effect until the situation improves.