Egypt bans duckling imports to keep out bird flu

CAIRO: Egyptian Agriculture Minister Amin Abaza on Sunday banned imports of ducklings as a precaution against the spread of bird flu, which has killed 13 Egyptians since it hit the country a year ago. An animal disease expert said that ducks had featured in about 95 percent of more than 100 recent outbreaks of the disease among flocks of domestic poultry. It has been recommended for some time but it s only one small step in the package of measures the government is considering, said the expert, who asked not to be named. Egypt does not need large quantities of imported ducklings, he added. The state news agency Mena said people with valid import licenses could import ducklings until the licenses expire.