Philippines bans poultry from Sweden, Czech Republic

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines is banning the importation of domestic and wild birds from Sweden and the Czech Republic amid the outbreak of avian influenza in the two countries.

Domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen from both countries are prohibited from entering the country, according to Memorandum Orders 11 and 12 issued by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Sweden and the Czech Republic reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 on Jan. 5 and Jan. 30, respectively.

“All shipments coming that are in transit before the official communication of this order shall be allowed provided that the products were slaughtered on or before Dec. 22, 2023,” Laurel said in his order.

Bird flu spreads among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.