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After culling 13,500 ostriches on Saturday, another three barns of birds have been found to be infected with the H5N1 virus. Another 22,000 birds are to be culled.
New case of bird flu discovered in Riyadh
Health 12/17/2007 6:53:00 PM
RIYADH, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- A new case of avian flu was discovered at an ostrich farm in Kharj Governorate, Riyadh, the Agriculture Ministry announced Monday.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a ministry statement as saying that three barns holding 22,500 ostriches were closed off and all the birds were culled in line with safety measures taken under such conditions.
The ministry called on all poultry farmers to take the necessary precautionary measures and to notify authorities should they suspect the disease had reached their farms.
Some 13,500 ostriches had been culled in the same area on Saturday upon discovery of virus. (end) od.ema KUNA 171853 Dec 07NNNN
Meanwhile, the consumption of Ostrich meat has been banned, and shops and restaurants are being raided to prevent further sale of potentially infected meat.
M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Arab NewsRIYADH, 17 December 2007 — Municipal officials in Riyadh have instructed poultry sellers and restaurants not to sell ostrich meat following the discovery of bird flu among ostriches a couple of days ago.
“Municipal inspectors are currently conducting raids on shops and dining outlets in Riyadh that sell ostrich birds and ostrich meat,” said Suliman Hamad Al-Buthi, chief of the Environmental Health Department at the municipality.
“We’ve already managed to withdraw ostriches and ostrich dishes from 12 restaurants and six shops in the city,” said Al-Buthi, adding that the Agriculture Ministry culled 13,500 ostriches following a new outbreak of bird flu, which was discovered on Thursday evening at a farm in Al-Kharj region, 80 km south of Riyadh.
