Mauritius raises Bird Flu alert level after resurgence of virus in Reunion Island

Mauritian authorities have gone on high alert and tightened measures to contain bird flu after a resurgence of the virus, in its most contagious form, in Reunion Island that has swept through poultry flock in four family farms in the village of Saint-Paul.

A highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 influenza, also known as avian flu, that plagued Europe and North America all summer shows no signs of relenting, officials have warned.

An emergency plan has been activated in Mauritius to minimize the risk of contamination.

“If the virus arrives in Mauritius, it would be a disaster for the poultry industry. The virus can, in rare cases and depending on the strain, be transmitted to other animals, but also to humans,” experts have been cited as explaining.

Mauritian authorities have temporarily banned all imports of poultry and poultry products from Reunion Island.

The Civil Aviation Department has informed Air Mauritius, Air France and Air Austral, which serve the Réunion/Mauritius route that passengers should not be allowed to carry poultry and poultry products.