New Delhi: Keeping in view the spread of bird-flu in the neighbouring countries, the Centre today (Jan 28, 2004) banned the import of livestock and its products to prevent the spread of the disease in the country.

The ban prohibits the import of domestic and wild birds, turkey poultry, hatching eggs, semen of birds, fresh meat or products of animal origin from the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan and Japan. It would be in force for a period of six months, an official release said today.

It also restricts the entry of any pathological material and biological products from birds which have not been processed to ensure the destruction of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus, it said.

Keeping in view that the zoonotic disease has caused mortality among human beings in Vietnam and Thailand recently, the Government has asked the Health Ministry to put in place a screening process for the people coming from the affected countries, it said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has alerted all State Governments including the quarantine stations asking them to report the matter in case of suspect.