Wednesday, August 28, 2013

KSA: A Travel Warning With A Pinch Of Irony

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# 7611

 

 

Saudi Arabia, which has seen scores of infections and more than 40 deaths from the MERS coronavirus, has issued a warning for its citizens traveling to Nepal – which is currently experiencing outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry.

 

While we’ve recently heard rumors of suspected human infections (see Nepal: EDCD Denies H5N1 Report) – to date no human cases have been reported.

 

This from the Saudi Press Agency.

 

Foreign Ministry advises Saudi citizens on outbreak of bird flu in Nepal

Riyadh, Shawwal 21, 1434, Aug 28, 2013, SPA -- The Foreign Ministry advised all citizens not to travel to Nepal until the announcement of the end of the state of emergency and the demise of the risk of bird flu for their own safety.

 

It also called on nationals who are in Nepal to leave.

 

This was due to the Nepali authorities' announcement of the state of emergency to cope with an outbreak of bird flu raising the degree of risk to residents in Nepal and visitors.


--SPA  15:05 LOCAL TIME 12:05 GMT

 

 

 

Based on this, you have to wonder what kind of travel warning they would consider appropriate for people traveling to the Kingdom.