Uzbekistan imposes temporary ban on livestock imports from India amid Nipah outbreak

The decision was formalized by the Chief State Veterinary Inspector of Uzbekistan, who signed an order imposing temporary restrictions on the import of certain animal-origin products. The measures came into effect on January 29.

According to the order, the restrictions were introduced after reports of a worsening epidemiological situation linked to the spread of the Nipah virus in India. Data from the World Organization for Animal Health indicate that the virus has been detected in the Indian state of West Bengal, a region that also supplies animal products to Uzbekistan.

Under the new rules, Uzbekistan has imposed a nationwide ban on the import of live animals and poultry from across India. In addition, all categories of goods subject to state veterinary control originating from West Bengal are prohibited from entering the country, with the exception of international transit shipments.

The document notes that, where necessary, imports from areas considered epizootically safe may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the state veterinary service.

Earlier, Uzbekistan’s Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare Committee warned citizens to observe precautionary measures amid the spread of the Nipah virus in India and several Southeast Asian countries. At the same time, health specialists stressed that the likelihood of the virus being imported into Uzbekistan remains extremely low.