Audio:No importation of foods from bird flu infected countries

The Department of Animal Production and Health had decided not to import food consignments from countries that had been identified as being prone to the spread of bird flu, Director General Dr. W.K. De Silva said yesterday.   

“Until the World Organisation for Animal Health gives us the thumbs up about certain high-risk countries we have decided not to import food consignments from them,” he said. The decision had been taken to prevent bird flu from entering the country again as it did a few years back.

The Department meanwhile was busy testing samples taken from migratory birds that fly into Sri Lanka for the flu virus so that a cure could be found. Although the risk of the bird flu being brought into the country was decreasing the department said it would continue testing to be absolutely sure. (Darshana Sanjeewa)