Farmers ask govt to maintain poultry import ban from Uganda

By Judith Akolo

Farmers have asked the government to maintain the ban on poultry imports from Uganda noting that lifting it could threaten the 20 billion shillings industry.

Kenya Poultry Farmers Association Manager Dr. Humphrey Mbugua says the influenza virus strain reported Uganda is capable of mutating, has no vaccine and is capable of infecting humans.

The outbreak of the Avian Influenza strain H5N8 in wild birds in Uganda and a recent contemplation by the government to lift the ban on poultry imports from Uganda has got stakeholders worried of the devastation it might cost the over 20 billion shillings sector in Kenya that is also a source of livelihood.

The Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers is warning that the strain of influenza virus ravaging Uganda is capable of mutating, has no vaccine and is capable of infecting humans and could result in mortalities.

They are calling on the public to be cautious and to observe the ban on cross border trade in poultry until the international health bodies clear Uganda of the current avian influenza threat.

The stakeholders now want to be involved in the recently formed National Avian Influenza Task Force so as to provide the much need input in surveillance and management of the situation.

The H5N8 was discovered to have infected wild birds including terns that died on the wetlands around Lake Victoria in Uganda last month which led the government in banning any imports from the neighboring country.