The Gambia government has banned all imports of poultry from neighbouring Senegal amid outbreak of bird flu which has killed hundreds of poultry birds.

The new infection which was once detected in Italy is believed to infect humans – posing public threats.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Livestock Department on Friday said in a statement that “[it] is imposing a ban with immediate effect on the importation on live poultry birds of all ages and all poultry products including chicken meat, eggs etc. from Senegal and all other countries currently experiencing HPAI H5A1 outbreak.”

The ministry urged poultry birds’ importers to source these only from countries currently not affected by HPAI.

“This ban will be effective until such time when the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Senegalese authorities confirm that the outbreak is completely contained, and new cases of the disease have not occurred in Senegal,” the ministry added.

It urged the public to remain calm saying the ultimate objective of this message is protecting human lives and enhancing food security being a clear indication of the commitment of the Government of The Gambia to protect its citizens and their livelihoods.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba