A temporary ban has been placed on the importation of all poultry products from the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry and Industry on Thursday, November 27 disclosed that the ban was put into effect as part of measures to prevent the entry of the Avian Influenza Virus to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The ban was imposed due to information received from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the United Kingdom confirming that the country recently experienced an outbreak of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The importation ban is imposed with immediate effect and applies to all poultry, poultry meat products and processed internal organs of poultry raised, slaughtered or processed in the United Kingdom, from two weeks prior to the start date of the outbreak, which was confirmed on November 14.

The ban on all poultry products from the United Kingdom will remain in effect until further notice.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus – referred to as HPAI H5N1 and sometimes shortened to H5N1 – is a virus that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them, especially domestic poultry. Though relatively rare, sporadic human infections with this virus have occurred and caused serious illness and death.