A fresh outbreak of bird flu has resulted in the loss of millions of Afghanis for poultry farmers in the eastern parts of the country, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said on Wednesday. 

ACCI spokesman Siyam Psarlai said they call on the relevant institutions to help curb the outbreak, which they fear could lead to further losses if left unchecked.

“We have professionalized our activities in those parts (the eastern parts of the country) compared with previous years, but unfortunately, the outbreak of some diseases kill many chickens at once,” Psarlai said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the bird flu virus, also known as avian influenza, has spread to Khost - by wild birds - and signs of the disease have been detected in Paktia.

The ministry said it has managed to bring outbreaks in some areas under control with the help of international organizations.

“Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with a number of international organizations including Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has taken serious measures to prevent the spread of the disease,” spokesman for the ministry Akbar Rustami said. “We assure the people that we are fully prepared in this respect.”

“Our activities at Kabul farms are going normally and such a disease has not been seen in Kabul,” said Hakim Jan Ibrahimkhail, head of farms association of Kabul.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock says chicken farms are growing rapidly in the country and that there are large farms in Khost, Nangarhar, Takhar and Kabul - which collectively supply a large quantity of the country’s egg and chicken needs.