The Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services (DLVS) of Zimbabwe has declared the country free of avian influenza, which impacted the poultry sector last year.

The outbreak led to the culling of over 215 000 birds and caused widespread shortages of chicken products, which in turn led to a skyrocketing egg and meat prices.

In a statement, DLVS Principal Director Dr. Unesu Ushewokunze-Obatolu said the country will keep all disease surveillance measures in place despite successful control of the avian flu outbreak.

However, she said the ban on South African poultry imports will remain in force. South Africa was hardest hit by the 2017 avian influenza outbreak. It was also confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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