Gambian authorities has put a temporal embargo on the importation on live poultry birds of all ages and all poultry products, including chicken meat and eggs from Senegal and all other countries currently experiencing HPAI H5A1 outbreak.
A statement, made available on Friday, stated that the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Department of Livestock Services, guided by the response activities stipulated in the Integrated National Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Avian & Human Influenza, is imposing a ban with immediate effect on the importation on live poultry birds of all ages and all poultry products from Senegal and all other countries currently experiencing HPAI H5A1 outbreak.
“Importers of live poultry birds and poultry products are therefore advised to source these only from countries currently not affected by HPAI.
This ban will be effective until the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Senegalese authorities confirm that the outbreak is completely contained, and new cases of the disease have not occurred in Senegal,” the statement said.
The statement added: “The Ministry of Agriculture and the National Avian Influenza taskforce recognizes that this ban may cause a temporary unfavorable shortage of chicks and poultry products in The Gambia but implores every citizen to abide by the ban since Bird Flu is a highly contagious viral disease with a significant zoonotic risk and a major global public health concern and potential pandemic similar to Covid-19 or even worse.”
The statement also said: “The Ministry of Agriculture/DLS and partners take this opportunity to urge everyone to remain calm but vigilant and report any unusual animal health event in poultry only to DLS staff. The ultimate objective of this message is protecting human lives and enhancing food security being a clear indication of the commitment of The Government of The Gambia to protect its citizens and their livelihoods.”