Moldova stops meat import from several countries due to bird flu, swine fever

Chisinau, 13 February /MOLDPRES/- The National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) set up a biosecurity plan for poultry farms and individual households in the context of enlargement of bird flu near the borders of Moldova.

ANSA deputy head Vsevolod Stamati today said that the authorities had taken a string of measures on the matter in order to prevent emergence and expansion of the virus in the country, but the biggest issue was at the border of the breakaway Transnistrian region, which was very difficult to control.

“Moldova is currently in the risk of the outbreak of bird flu, so we have taken measures needed not to allow spread of the virus in farms and households. Firstly, we estimated the number of birds across the country, we organized training seminars in the 37 subdivisions of ANSA with the participation of veterinary inspectors and poultry producers, as well as we have informed rural people about this disease”, Stamati said.

At the same time, the official said that at present, the country had stopped the import of meat of any kind from Ukraine, due to confirmation of over 170 outbreaks of swine fever, and from Germany, Poland, Romania and Russia the import was ceased only in the areas, where there were cases of bird flu. “Also, security measures are taken at the state border in collaboration with the Customs Service and Border Police, and private people were not allowed to bring meat in the country. So far, about 2,400 kg of meat have been raised and destroyed. Another risk of spreading bird flu in Moldova comes from wildlife, returning to the country in early spring”, Stamati also said.

According to authorities, the bird flu is a virus affecting mainly birds, as well as can infect mammals. It poses no danger to human health, and the main symptoms of disease of birds represent lack of appetite, bruising crest and chin, and three days later they die. There are 45 million birds in Moldova, of which 17 million are in the corporate sector.  

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor A. Răileanu)