<p><a href="/en/afganistan/kabul" class="glossify-link">KABUL</a> (Pajhwok): The Ministry of <a href="https://www.pajhwok.com/en/agriculture">Agriculture</a>, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) on Wednesday said it has banned the import of chickens and eggs from Iran to avoid an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N8 bird flu.</p>
<p>The ban was imposed in line with credible information from Iran and international <a href="/en/health" class="glossify-link">health</a> organizations dealing with livestock sector, a MAIL statement said.</p>
<p>Iranian livestock officials detected a positive H5N8 case in northern Iran and the <a href="/en/world" class="glossify-link">World</a> Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) have confirmed the development.</p>
<p><a href="/en/agriculture" class="glossify-link">Agriculture</a> to avoid the use of chickens imported from Iran in their food till a new update from the government.</p>
<p>Chickens and related products awaiting entry into <a href="/en/afghanistan" class="glossify-link">Afghanistan</a> have been stopped.</p>
<p>Last year, the H5N8 virus entered Afghanistan through flying birds, but effective measures by the Ministry of Agriculture and other government institutions led to a timely control over the bird flu.</p>
<p>Afghanistan recently banned the import of breeder chickens.</p>
<p>nh/ma</p>
