Uzbekistan has imposed temporary restrictions for import of animals from India due to the spread of the Nipah virus since January 29. The relevant order was signed by the Deputy Chief State Veterinary Inspector on January 29.
According to the order, the ban for imports of live animals and poultry applies for the whole territory of India.
Furthermore, import of all goods (meat, milk, eggs, fish, etc.) under the supervision of the State Veterinary Service from the state of West Bengal has also been temporarily restricted. While, international transit is not subject to the restrictions.
The order stressed that the measure was taken based on information from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and open source data regarding the complicated epidemiological situation in West Bengal related to the spread of the Nipah virus.
If necessary, imports from epizootic-free areas may be reviewed by the State Veterinary Service on a case-by-case basis.
Chief veterinary inspectors in the provinces have been ordered to strictly enforce the imposed restrictions at the state border and in transport.
On January 26, the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health reported that the Nipah virus, which causes inflammation of the respiratory tract and brain, has not been detected in Uzbekistan. This virus is zoonotic, transmitted to humans from animals, such as bats. Transmission through contaminated food and from person to person is also possible. In recent years, Nipah virus infections have been regularly reported in India, and human cases have also been reported in countries in Southeast Asia.
