Morocco Heightens Border Controls as Avian Flu Spreads in Algeria

Avian flu will not cross the Moroccan borders despite the fears due to the geographical proximity of the Algerian outbreaks. This is at least the mission that the alert committee has set itself. Chaouki Jirari, general director of the Inter-professional Federation of the Poultry Sector (FISA), reassures that "Morocco is today free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in Algeria."

According to the FISA official, border controls will now be strengthened despite the closure of the borders with Algeria. Measures are being put in place at the border with Algeria and Mauritania, so that "the virus cannot pass through this country."

Even if Morocco is free of the virus to date, "all trucks transporting poultry products from Algeria or Mauritania are required to go through a washing and disinfection station, without exception. And of course, a whole series of documents are required at the border posts," says Mr. Jirari.

Last week, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was discovered in Algeria in a poultry farm in Ain Fekroune, in the wilaya of Oum El Bouagui in the east of the country, according to APS.