The United States has imposed restrictions on the importation of some poultry and its products from the state of Victoria in Australia after detecting highly contagious avian influenza in birds there.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the US Department of Agriculture announced on Friday that the restrictions have been in effect since May 22nd and will continue until further notice.
The department added that non-manufactured poultry products and other poultry products coming from or passing through Victoria will not be allowed to enter the US.
The ban also includes imports of poultry and birds imported for commercial purposes, as well as hatching eggs and live birds.
However, the import of pet birds and zoo birds may be permitted under an import permit with a 30-day quarantine.
Australia announced last week its first human case of avian influenza in a child, authorities said the infection occurred in India but the child made a full recovery.
Meanwhile, a different highly contagious strain was detected at an egg production farm.
Avian influenza has crossed over to humans and other mammalian species, including dairy-producing cattle in the US in March, raising concerns about its potential to mutate into a virus transmissible among humans and trigger a pandemic.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the public health risk remains low.
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