The Swiss government on Friday announced the extension of a ban on birds and poultry from Asian countries as well as Russia and Kazakhstan in a bid to prevent the spread of bird flu.

In a statement, the Federal Veterinary Office also reminded travelers not to illegally bring back into Switzerland products including eggs, meat, non-treated feathers or birds from the 13 countries now on a list affected by the import ban.

At the same time, the Federal Health Office said it wants to build a reserve of vaccine to protect up to 100,000 people should the flu begin passing to humans.

Bern is following European Union policy in extending its import ban, even if the measure is purely a formality.

A panel of Swiss government experts said Tuesday that the risk of the bird flu being brought into Switzerland was low. The Federal Health Office added on Friday that there was at present no risk to the Swiss population.

The 13 countries affected by the import ban are Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, North Korea, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Russia and Kazakhstan.

Source: Xinhua