Kohima: The Nagaland Government has imposed a ban on selling of poultry and poultry products with immediate effect in view of widespread avian flu in neighbouring countries.

Official sources said the ban includes both domesticated and wild birds, day-old chicks, turkey poultry and other newly-hatched avian species, hatching eggs, semen of domesticated and wild birds among others.

Nagaland borders a long stretch with Myanmar where avian flu has been reported and barter trade exists in border areas where many goods are exchanged, including chicken. Officials of State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department pointed out that although there was no large-scale import of chicken to Nagaland from Myanmar through Moreh route (Manipur), brand processed meat and meat pickle imported from South East Asian countries are available in the markets of Kohima and Dimapur.

Meanwhile, an official release said the State Government had constituted various committees with immediate effect to monitor and prevent any eventuality in view of the spread of bird flu in neighbouring countries.

A State- level animal disease emergency committee has been formed with the chief secretary as chairman and director, Animal Husbandry, as member secretary. A district level animal disease emergency committee has also been constituted with deputy commissioner as chairman to deal with any eventuality.

The Government also decided to conduct awareness campaigns for poultry farmers and village functionaries.

Rearing of chicken and pigs is widely prevalent in rural Nagaland and so far no report of spread of any disease among domesticated birds or animals has been recieved.