THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKES STEPS TO PREVENT THE PENETRATION OF THE SWINE FLU TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 30, 2009
YEREVAN

During today’s session of the Armenian government issues connected
with the prevention of the penetration of the swine flu into the
republic have been discussed. The Armenian Health Minister Harutyun
Kushkian noted that in this respect there is no epidemic situation
in the republic.

A consultation has been held in the republic on prevention of the
disease. At present quarantine is announced in the "Zvartnots" and
"Gyumri" airports, all those who arrive in Armenia are checked and
everything is done to prevent the penetration of the disease. According
to H. Kushkian the Armenian Health Ministry has all the necessary
medicaments stored against the disease. The Armenian Agriculture
Minister Aramayis Grigorian noted that yet there is no attempt of
prevention of the disease, but everything is done so that the announced
quarantine in the bordering checking stations has a great efficiency:
all the cargos imported to Armenia are disinfected. According to
the Minister form April 26 the import of pork into Armenia has been
restricted especially from countries where cases of disease have
already been registered. As from the swine meat the disease can
also transfer to the bird meat therefore it is also suggested to
restrict the import of bird meat. The Armenian Emergency Situations
Minister Mher Shahgeldian suggested conducting checking of disease in
airplanes as well. The Head of Government-affiliated State Revenue
Committee Gagik Khachatrian noted that the Committee must regularly
be informed from where and when it is necessary to suspend the import
of meat so that the importers are on time informed about it and not
conduct expenditures in vein. According to Armenian Prime minister
Tigran Sargsian if different states who have registered a disease
have suspended the import of meat, Armenia must also conduct serious
steps towards prevention of penetration of the disease to the republic.