China has banned imports of livestock products from many countries

The ban , which also applies to processed and unprocessed foods, came into effect after the World Health Organization released information about outbreaks of the disease in various countries, according to a series of statements from China's General Administration of Customs on Jan. 21.

The ban from the world's largest meat importer affects Ghana, Somalia, Qatar, Congo (DRC), Nigeria, as well as Tanzania, Egypt , Bulgaria, East Timor and Eritrea.

China also said it had stopped importing sheep, goats and related products from Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh due to outbreaks of sheep and goat pox.

The country also blocked imports of ungulates and related products from Germany following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.