April 4, 2007

Japan bans US poultry from bird flu-hit West Virginia

Japan has banned poultry and poultry products from the whole of West Virginia following the USDA's recent report of the low pathogenic H5N2 bird flu case there.

All poultry products exported from every other US state to Japan must include additional statements attesting that the shipments did not pass through and were not processed in West Virginia, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said. The council added that poultry shipments from West Virginia to Japan within the last 21 days prior to the outbreak should be re-routed to other export destinations.

USDA's Chief Veterinarian John Clifford said the department would inform the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of the H5N2 case in West Virginia, and work closely with trading partners to ensure a science-based approach to any restrictions that should be "lifted at the appropriate time".