LILONGWE, Aug. 31, (Xinhua) -- Malawi has intensified restrictions on importation of poultry and poultry products following an outbreak of Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu in some of its neighbouring countries.
Acting Director in the Department of Livestock and Animal Health in the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Patrick Chikungwa, told local press Thursday that the country was at risk of the disease outbreak particularly due to regional cross-border trade.
He said: "The threat for Malawi is real due to presence of potential risk factors which include porous borders, large susceptible domestic birds, illegal movement of animal and animal products and relaxed surveillance after long period of inactivity with respect to bird flu."
He thus assured that as part of preparedness, Malawi had reactivated its taskforce and technical working group on bird flu, which would be co-chaired by the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development and co-chaired by Ministry of health.
"Government has since intensified its prevention measures through enforcement of importation restrictions such as ban of poultry and poultry products from the infected countries," explained Chikungwa.
He also disclosed that Government had engaged key stakeholders such poultry producers, importers, parks and wildlife in efforts to successfully effect the preparedness.
Chikungwa went on to say there had also been strengthening of the diagnostic capacity of screening and confirmation of the disease, and intensification of surveillance for early detection and response.
In the SADC region, the disease was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo followed by Zimbabwe and recently South Africa.
The government has since appealed to all Malawians to collaborate and cooperate by adhering to the set up strategies.
