December 3, 2012

Due to an outbreak of a strain of avian flu, authorities in the Philippines have temporarily suspended the importation of Australian poultry.

The virus, which is not the deadly H5N1 strain, was discovered in New South Wales two weeks ago.

The World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed the outbreak of the H7 strain of avian flu on an egg farm in the Hunter Valley.

Philippines agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala ordered a ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, along with poultry meat, to protect local poultry and preserve human health.

The indefinite ban will be enforced immediately.

Alcala also ordered the suspension of veterinary quarantine clearance for poultry and poultry products from Australia, as well as confiscation of such shipments arriving in Philippines ports.