CARACAS, Oct. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- The Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday that it will ban all imports of poultry products from neighboring Colombia to avoid the outbreak of the potentially deadly bird flu.

    Since cases of bird flu have been confirmed on three farms in Colombia, poultry products such as chicken, hens, eggs and turkeys from Colombia will be banned from entering Venezuela, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

    The Venezuelan government also ordered to close poultry markets in areas bordering Colombia, according to the statement.

    The Ministry of Health on Tuesday activated the poultry monitoring system nationwide to monitor poultry viruses and keep the track of migratory birds entering the country.

    So far no signs of bird flu have been found in the country. Enditem