The Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar has incinerated 40 imported chickens in its continued bid to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Local English newspaper The Guardian on Tuesday quoted Kassim Gharib from the Zanzibar Bird Flu Task Force as confirming that the chickens had been imported from mainland Tanzania.

But the government official said that the business people who imported the chickens had escaped arrest.

To prevent bird flu from invading the isles, Zanzibar has imposed last year an indefinite ban on importing poultry and poultry products.

The isles have confiscated and destroyed hundreds of chickens and eggs smuggled into Zanzibar.

"Since bird flu has not been controlled in many countries, the ban of poultry products from outside Zanzibar remains," said Gharib.

Bird flu, that originated in Asia, has been found in several countries in Africa.

Source: Xinhua