Bird Flu Preventive Measures Top Government’s Session

Georgian cabinet members discussed at the session on January 11 measures that are underway to prevent the arrival of the avian flu to Georgia.
 
“The Ministries of Agriculture and Health Care are fully mobilized, special teams have been set up in the regions; measures on the border with Turkey have been strengthened. The authorities have taken every measure to prevent the spread of bird flu in Georgia,” Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said at the government’s session.
 
Georgian Agriculture Minister Mikheil Svimonishvili reiterated on January 11 that currently there is no threat of a bird flu outbreak in Georgia.

The government decided to allocate a total of GEL 2,7 million (USD 1,5 million) for measures to prevent arrival of the bird flu in the country. This is GEL 1,9 million more than the sum allocated by the government last October.

Border checkpoints are equipped with disinfectants, protective clothing and special equipment and vehicles entering Georgia undergo disinfection procedures.

The Georgian media reported that a poultry market in Kobuleti, Adjara Autonomous Republic, which borders Turkey, was closed down by local authorities.

The Healthcare Ministry has started dissemination of special brochures which contain information about the virus and precautions to take to avoid contracting the disease.

Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia also announced on January 10 that bird flu preventive measures will be carried out.

Apsnipress news agency reported that the Abkhaz authorities have banned poultry import from Turkey and Georgia. According to the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee Interior Ministry of breakaway region will take measures to prevent the import of poultry from Georgia.

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