Namibia has suspended imports and in-transit movement of live poultry and poultry products from South Carolina in the USA. This is due to a bird flu (HPAI) outbreak on a commercial turkey farm last week.
The decision was made by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in Namibia
DVS and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have agreed that in the event of an HPAI outbreak in one or more regions of the USA, imports will continue from US regions which were not affected by the outbreak.
The AI outbreak in South Carolina was detected in a turkey flock, where it killed close to 1 600 birds. Over 32 500 turkeys were euthanised to prevent further spread of the disease.
The incubation period of HPAI is 21 days as set by the OIE. Consequently, the suspension of poultry and poultry products from South Carolina takes effect 21 days prior to the date of the outbreak. As a result, only shipments with products packed on or prior to 16 March 2020, will be accepted.
Shipments containing poultry products from South Carolina packed on or after 17 March will be rejected and sent back to the USA. These will be destroyed at the importer’s cost.
In the case of Ukraine, an HPAI outbreak was reported on 18 January this year and was resolved on 4 March. Poultry products from Ukraine are allowed to transit through Namibia, only if they were produced and packed on, or before 27 December 2019 or were processed on, or after 4 March 2020.