Outbreak of bird flu 'unlikely in Bahrain'

INCIDENTS of bird flu in Saudi Arabia and Iraq are not expected to affect Bahrain, authorities said yesterday.

 

There is no need for alarm, said Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry animal wealth director Dr Salman Abdulnabi Ebrahim.

He said the outbreak reported in Saudi Arabia was limited and far from Bahrain.

"The incident in Saudi Arabia occurred with a single breeder of falcons in Riyadh and is not widespread," said Dr Ebrahim.

"The incidents in Iraq were always a possibility, according to the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"Birds from Iraq have not been allowed into all countries in the region since the bird flu outbreak was first reported."

 

Dr Ebrahim said that Iraq was considered a danger even before any cases were found there because the unstable political situation there made it impossible for authorities to monitor the birds.

 

He also said that while birds from Saudi Arabia were not banned from Bahrain, there was hardly any trade in this area between the two countries.

"Inspectors are also taking extra precautions at the King Fahad Causeway and the Bahrain International Airport to prevent the birds from entering the country," Dr Ebrahim continued.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to visit farms in Bahrain and take blood samples.

 

They are also continuing with an awareness campaign to teach farmers and breeders about the safety precautions they need to take.