BAHA warns farmers of chicken flu

Tonight, Belizean poultry farmers are nervously listening to hear if their chickens are sneezing, sniffling or even coughing. That’s right, chickens can cough. Those are just some of the symptoms of Avian Influenza. The mild form of the disease is currently affecting both Guatemala and Mexico, while Honduras is reporting that Newcastle Disease is affecting their chickens. These diseases can kill the chickens and is highly contagious, and ultimately can result in trade embargos. So far no poultry farm in Belize has tested positive for the chicken flu, but officials from the Ministry of Agriculture are urging poultry farmers, and Belizeans in general to take special steps to make sure we don’t get it. According to Dr. Mike Tewes of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), humans can transmit the disease from country to country on their clothing, shoes, car tyres, boxes or crates and just about any other item that carry secretions. BAHA is asking the public not to import any poultry products like eggs or birds from neighboring countries.