Haiti ban on Dominican products threat of Bird flu

The threat of the deadly avian flu has caused a ban on all animal, meat and egg products from the Dominican Republic. The government, in an official statement, has also informed importers, resellers and consumers of the products which are potential carriers of the flu that the ban was of immediate effect and would remain in effect until further notice.

The prohibition on meat, eggs and other animal products from the Dominican Republic spells a serious restriction of the protein needs of many Haitians. Eggs, as one of the cheapest sources of protein to be had in the country are imported a million a day from the Dominican Republic.

Also not to fair well from the deal is Haiti's neighboring country. Officials from the Dominican Republic have already refuted the claims made in the press. Ruben Silie, the Dominican Ambassador in Haiti said that there was no evidence to the claim that the country, which was declared free of the avian flu by the World Health Organization three years ago, is currently having an outbreak. A Dominican Republic health official stated that the five deaths cited were from swine flu, not bird flu. Further, it is estimated that Dominican businesses will lose millions if the ban continues, an estimated $2 million from the loss of chicken sales alone. However, with Haiti still reeling from the Nepalese cholera outbreak, even a perceived overzealousness of caution can be deemed reasonable.

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Read more: Health, Dominican Republic, Avian Flu, H1N1, Poultry, Bird Flu, Egg, International

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