November 15, 2012
Belarus temporarily bans poultry imports from Israel
A temporary ban on the import of poultry from Israel has been imposed by the Belarusian authorities over an outbreak of Newcastle disease in that country.
According to the agriculture ministry, the authorities have banned deliveries of live poultry, eggs, fluff and feathers, poultry meat and poultry-based products such as feeds. The disease is carried by a virus and depending on the strain, can cause up to 90% mortality among birds. Humans exposed to infected birds can suffer mild influenza-like symptoms, but there is no real threat to human health. Newcastle disease breaks out in Israel every few years.
