Lao authorities have issued a ban on imports of all poultry and poultry products from Thailand as a measure to prevent further outbreak of bird flu, after determining that poultry in the northeastern provinces of Thailand are in high risk areas. The measure also calls for stiff penalty for violators and smugglers.
Laos has faced four outbreaks of bird flu since 2004. The last outbreak, in late 2006 and early 2007, resulted in two human deaths, forcing the culling of hundred of thousands of birds and the closures of more than 80 poultry farms across the country last year.
The ban will certainly aggrevate poultry and egg shortages in Laos, where so far only about 30 of the closed farms have reopened and gone back to raise birds again.
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.
