Juba bans trade in chicken

Sept 20, 2006 (JUBA) — Trade in chicken has been banned to check the spread of bird flu that is reported in Juba, the Southern Sudan ministry of animal resources and fisheries has announced.

The director general of animal resources, Dr Akol, on Monday said live birds, including chicken and ducks, could not be taken into and out of Juba.

“We are banning live birds from being taken out of Juba. That is one way of stopping the spread of the disease,” Akol announced.
He was appearing on a live talk-show on Capital FM Juba.

Akol said there were messages designed to warn the public on the dangers of the virus.

He said the Juba Avian Influenza Task Force had been set up to lead the onslaught against the disease that has the potential of wiping out an entire stock of birds.

Adverts are running on radio stations in Juba warning the residents of the disease.

“Bird flu is in Juba. It kills chicken and ducks. It can be dangerous to people. Don’t touch sick-looking birds. Keep birds out of your houses and don’t let children play with them. Don’t eat ill-health looking birds until further notice,” one such advert warns.

(New Vision)