(Yicai) Nov. 3 -- China has suspended direct and indirect imports of poultry and related products from Mozambique to prevent the arrival of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Poultry and related products shipped from Mozambique from Nov. 1 will be returned or destroyed, China's General Administration of Customs and the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on Nov. 1. Related products shipped before Nov. 1 will be released only after passing strict quarantine inspection and laboratory test, they added.

On Oct. 17, Mozambique reported to the World Organization for Animal Health an outbreak of H7 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza in Inhambane province. Some 15,000 laying hens were infected, and 8,837 died, according to the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center.

Animal and plant wastes and swill unloaded from ships and aircraft from Mozambique shall be disinfected under the supervision of the GAC. None of the above products shall be discarded without authorization.

Editor: Futura Costaglione