Bahrain impose ban on import of birds from Kuwait

Manama : Bahrain has imposed a temporary ban on importing all types of live birds from Kuwait due to the outbreak of bird flu H5 N1. The Agricultural Affairs and Marine Resources at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, announced the pre-emptive measure.

In a statement tonight, it declared a state of emergency at all entry points, in cooperation with competent Government authorities for the required measures to be taken.

Undersecretary for Agriculture and Marine Resources Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al-Khalifa has given directives to set up a specialised veterinary team to conduct the necessary surveys at all farms so as to deal with any epidemic which may infect poultry.

He declared Bahrain H5 N1-free, urging all bird breeders to quickly report any suspicious case and coordinate with competent authorities for necessary measures to be taken.

Kuwait had notified the OIE-World Organisation for Animal Health, reporting 285 dead birds due to the infectious disease.