All Newcastle Disease restrictions lifted as no cases found
Timely measures helped curb the spread of the contagious virus among poultry farms
Restrictions on bird sales and poultry were lifted on Wednesday after the Agriculture Ministry said no cases of Newcastle Disease had been found in any chicken farms in Malta and Gozo.
In June, the government has issued wide ranging restrictions in response to the incidence of Newcastle Disease, a highly contagious virus affecting birds, after two farms had confirmed incidence of the virus.
Transmission of the disease to humans is very rare and all affected chickens were “humanely euthanised” according to EU regulations and the eggs and meat from the infected farms were incinerated.
Following checks carried out on farms, all measures were being lifted as the restrictions “were timely to control the spread of the disease”.
It added that, as a precautionary measure, it will remain mandatory for laying hens and chickens to be vaccinated against this disease.
Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo said officials in the Directorate for Veterinary Regulation will continue to inspect chicken farms to ensure that this disease does not enter poultry holdings.