Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Seven new bird flu cases, including one falcon - Kuwait
KUWAIT, Feb 27 (KUNA)—Seven new cases of bird flu-related deaths were reported Tuesday by the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Head of the Health Ministry’s Media and Public Awareness Authority and Member of the Anti-Bird Flu National Committee Dr. Ahmad Al-Shatti told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the new cases included two turkeys and four hens in Wafra as well as one falcon in Rabia bringing to 39 the total number of cases discovered in Kuwait in the past three days.
All seven birds died from the H5N1 virus.
Al-Shatti said the owner of the Wafra poultry farm, where the dead birds were reported, had also reported the death of 95 other birds last week. But only four of them, including two turkeys and two hens, were attributed to the deadly virus in that non-commercial farm.
But, on all commercial farms, there has been no confirmed bird flu cases as reported by the tests conducted by health authorities, Al-Shatti said.
Meanwhile, an amateur falcon breeder reported to the national committee the death of one of his birds because of bird flu.
In all cases of bird flu- related deaths, all birds suspected of having been in contact with the contaminated birds were disposed off in line with international norms for public safety. The premises, where the cases were reported were disinfected, the national committee said.
It added that the government was determined to report to the public any new cases of migrating birds, that are found to have died from the disease on Kuwaiti soil.
Al-Shatti stressed that a 24-hour hotline was available in case any new cases should be reported and he praised the positive response by the public to the awareness campaign. He also called members of the public and owners of poultry farms to abide by the government guidelines regarding the disease to prevent further worsening.
Bird flu story source: Kuwait News Agency