Muscat, Dec 25 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has allayed fears of bird flu saying no bird flu (H5N8) infection has been recorded in the Sultanate so far, quoting a World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
All precautionary measures have been taken, said the ministry, which has decided to stop the issue of licenses for import of poultry/ eggs from Saudi Arabia, where many birds are reported to have been infected by bird flu (H5N8) at a market in Riyadh.
Deaths of some birds were also reported.
Veterinary specialists at the border ports of the Sultanate have been asked to tighten controls and intensify quarantine procedures.
The local markets will come under “microscope” as inspections will be intensified by the authorities, said the ministry.
The ministry said it was monitoring the announcements made by Saudi authorities on the bird flu outbreak. It is coordinating with experts at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry is in touch with Saudi experts as well as those in other GCC countries for receiving updates in this matter.
The Saudi ministry is taking prevention measures, including closure of the market, ban on their entry/ exit of birds as well as their sale.
Fahad Al Ghadani
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