Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza has banned the importation of all birds from France after it was discovered that some of these birds are infected with bird flu. The General Authority for Veterinary Services has formed 300 committees to follow up on bird flu nationwide after the disease was spotted in the governorate of Suez. Abaza has given strict instructions to follow up the situation as quickly as possible in order to prevent the spread of the disease and to tighten veterinary procedures with regard to the transfer of birds between the different provinces, the authority's head Hamid Samaha said. Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Samaha said more than 3,500 chickens and 2,000 ducks were culled in Suez. Birds in the surrounding areas have been vaccinated against the disease. Other committees will be formed nationwide to combat the disease, he said, adding that birds will be vaccinated in different cities. There will be intensive campaigns over the coming few days, as samples of birds will be taken from markets nationwide to make sure that these animals are free of the disease. In addition, daily campaigns will be carried out on poultry farms to make sure that birds are vaccinated and that bio-safety procedures are followed in the farms, Samaha added.
