Hong Kong has announced a ban on all poultry meat imports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to a bird flu outbreak.
The virus was detected among ducks and hens in three villages near the border with Uganda, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday, citing a report from the Congolese agriculture ministry.
“The Centre for Food Safety has contacted the Congolese authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said, Africa business communities reports.
Bird flu is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans.
Bird flu affects many species of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. It can be passed between commercial, wild and pet birds.
