WorldPoultry: Germany: Temporary ban placed after bird flu outbreak

The Department of Agriculture has temporarily banned the entry of poultry and poultry products from Germany following the outbreak of two separate strains of low pathogenic avian flu in two districts.

In a memo, the department ordered the suspension of poultry imports from the district of Stormarn in Schleswig-Holstein state and the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg in Hesse.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), strains of the avian flu were found in two mixed poultry farms in the aforementioned areas in December.

Avian flu strains are classified as either high pathogenic or low pathogenic, based on the severity of the illness experienced by the bird population. With low pathogenic strains, the illnesses are not severe and affected birds usually recover.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ordered the immediate suspension of the processing and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearances on poultry imports from the two districts.

The department's veterinary quarantine officers and inspectors in all major ports were also instructed to confiscate all poultry and poultry product shipments from Germany.