February 22, 2013

Sri Lanka bans pork imports due to Japanese Encephalitis disease

In view of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) disease presently spreading in the Ratnapura, Kegalle and Kurunegala areas, the Department of Animal Production and Health has imposed a temporary ban on the import of pork to Sri Lanka.

The Director of the Health Department said they were compelled to take the decision as JE is spread by infected swine. Although every pig is vaccinated annually, at this juncture, the preventive measures are being tightened until specific precautions are taken, he said.

Accordingly, the government has decided not to import pork from countries which are considered to be exposed to JE.