Thirteen countries, including China, Japan, and Russia, have implemented a partial ban on Belgian poultry imports due to avian influenza cases in the country.
Five countries – South Africa, China, Cuba, Singapore, and Taiwan – have imposed a strict embargo on all poultry from Belgium. Eight more nations and regions have enforced a partial ban, allowing imports from certain Belgian regions where avian flu has not been spotted. These are Hong Kong, Iraqi Kurdistan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
There may be more regions or countries curtailing imports from Belgium, perhaps by declining to grant import licences.
Yellow zones have a partial embargo on Belgian poultry. Red zones have imposed a strict ban on all Belgian poultry. Credit: Belga / Afsca
The H5 strain of avian influenza was detected in four locations in Belgium this winter. A compulsory screening for poultry – whether from professional or amateur farmers – was introduced on December 9.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a highly infectious viral disease, to which all bird species are seemingly susceptible. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that this H5 virus is also dangerous to humans.
