Mizoram Bans Import of Poultry and Animals

The Mizoram government has banned import of animals and poultry from other northeastern states, besides neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar, as a precautionary measure to prevent bird flu from hitting the state.

"Mizoram is the most vulnerable (to bird flu infection) among the Indian states and we cannot deny that," Vanhela Pachuau, Mizoram's principal secretary, said.

Mizoram is sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and shares a common border with Manipur that was recently in the news for avian influenza infection.

"The government has banned all imports of animals from neighbouring countries and states, but it is up to the people of Mizoram to obey the prohibition," Pachuau said.

There are no reports of the deadly viral infection in Mizoram.

"We have conducted an awareness campaign across the state and people living on the border areas are advised to complain to the nearest veterinary department in case of unusual sickness or deaths of domestic fowls," Sangnghinga, state veterinary director, said.

Mizoram has five Animal Surveillance Check Posts on the Myanmar side and one on the Bangladesh border, but none along the border with Manipur.

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Business has been hit by the ban on imports of poultry and animals in Mizoram."The bird flu in Manipur has shrunk our business, buying is out of question, people are avoiding chicken stalls," said Laltlanthanga, Secretary of Mizoram Chicken Sellers' Association.

Source-IANS
SRM /J