The Greek government said on Sunday that it has taken various measures to keep the avian flu outside the country.

A series of preventive measures has been taken shortly after the outbreak in countries in the Far East and a strategy has been created to prevent its entry into the country, Deputy Agricultural Development and Foodstuffs Minister Alexandros Kontos said.

On latest developments regarding the "migration" of bird flu to countries neighboring the European Union, he said surveillance programs are being implemented with an aim to locate the disease's infection sources so as to enable the timely handling of cases.

The import of live poultry, meat and other poultry products from countries in which bird flu has appeared is forbidden, he noted.

Customs authorities at airports and seaports are cooperating closely with veterinary authorities to prevent the illegal import of poultry as well as its products, he added.

Source: Xinhua