Brussels, 13/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 12 March, the European Commission imposed restrictions upon Belgium in order to avoid the spread of a viral infection, avian influenza (poultry flu), in the EU. This decision was taken after a suspected case was discovered on 11 March. The alarm was raised by a farm close to the Dutch border where some 2,000 hens out of a total of 12,000 have been found dead. Until 20 March, Belgium cannot export live poultry or eggs to be hatched, or transport these products across its territory. European experts may decide to waive the restrictions before this date if all suspicion has been officially lifted, the Commission stresses in a press release.
Avian influenza is a viral infection that is not, in theory, transmissible to Man, but which is highly contagious for poultry. A similar embargo had been decided last week by the European Commission against the Netherlands (see EUROPE of 8 March, p.15) and should be lifted on Thursday by the standing committee on the food chain and animal health.