Belarus from August 10 introduces temporary restrictions on import of poultry from the Mari El Republic and Chuvash Republic due to discovered there hotbeds of avian flu. This is stated in the order of the leadership of the Department of veterinary and food supervision Ministry of Belarus.

"According to the International epizootic Bureau on the territory of the Republic of Mari El and the Chuvash Republic was the incidence of new cases of birds with highly pathogenic avian influenza", - noted in Department.

Restrictions affect the importation of live poultry, hatching eggs, wild, zoo and circus animals susceptible to disease and poultry meat, egg powder, mélange, albumin and other food products processing of chicken eggs. In addition, under the ban hit the feathers, hunting trophies (bird game), and other products. The Department of the Belarusian agriculture and food Ministry recommended the adoption of additional control measures to ensure biological protection of the poultry facilities of all ownership forms in the Republic.

As previously reported with reference to the administration of the head of the Chuvash Republic, bird flu identified in eight districts of the Republic. Regional authorities noted that the source of infection has not been established. In Mari El it is noted that the focus of bird flu in one of the private farms.

Avian influenza is an infectious disease that affects the organs of digestion, respiration and leads to death of birds. Carriers usually are wild birds. Most strains of the disease for people not dangerous.