The Egyptian government is working on new legislation that will restrict the movement of live poultry as the country reported its 24th case of avian flu.
Health officials said the new bird flu legislation was expected to be in place within the next few weeks. It would involve the creation of four zones with 10-15km buffers between them. In an effort to contain any potential spread of the virus, no-one will be allowed to move birds or chicks between the zones.
?The legislation has already been presented to parliament for approval. It puts restrictions on the trade of live poultry and imposes fines on those who violate it by moving birds from one city to another,? Dr Nasr al-Sayyed, First Undersecretary for the Preventive Sector at the Ministry of Health, told IRIN.
Al-Sayyed said that the legislation will aim to change the mentality of buying live poultry in Egypt and encourage the consumption of frozen birds.