The Philippines’ farm ministry said on Wednesday it has banned poultry imports from California and Ohio in the United States because of several outbreaks there of highly pathogenic avian influenza, reported Reuters. 

The ban, which aims to protect the health of the Philippines’ poultry population, covers imports of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat and eggs, the ministry said in a statement.

All shipments coming from California and Ohio that are already in transit, loaded, or accepted at Philippine ports before Jan. 15 will be allowed entry if they were slaughtered two weeks before the outbreak began, it added. Read more