Vietnam suspends US poultry import to contain bird flu

Vietnam has suspended the imports of poultry and poultry products from the US states of Wisconsin and Tennessee which have been affected by a strain of low pathogenic H5N2 and the high-pathogenic H7 avian influenza virus.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued a decision to temporarily halt the imports on March 10, asking the Veterinary Department to tighten control over the poultry batches imported from these states which have not yet been heat treated before March 10.

The department was requested to send an official notice of the decision to the US’s authorized agencies.

It will also be responsible for verifying whether the US can control the avian influenza viruses in line with regulations of the World Health Organisation, and then reporting this to the MARD.

Source NDO/VNA