# 632
The official position, for now, is `no comment'.
Results today; Shatti ‘mum’ on ‘bird flu positive’
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait on Wednesday sent samples of the four Bangladeshi bird handlers to WHO laboratory in Cairo for confirmation of test results conducted in Kuwait, says Dr Ahmad Al-Shatti, spokesman for the Health Ministry. According to Dr Al-Shatti, the test results are expected on Thursday. The four workers were earlier referred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital after they showed bird-flu symptoms.
Dr Al-Shatti refused to be drawn into the outcome of the preliminary tests conducted in the country. “We have sent the samples of the bird handlers to the WHO laboratory in Cairo and unless we get the results, I am not in a position to say anything. We are the sole body entrusted with announcing the outcome of positive cases of bird flu both in humans as well as in birds,” he added.
Describing the bird flu situation in the country as under control, Dr Al-Shatti said: “The bird handlers are in good health and there is no cause for concern. We have plans in place to deal with any emergent situation.”
Kuwait has so far not detected any human bird flu case. Kuwait reported outbreak of bird flu in late February and since then the authorities are combating the disease on a war-footing.
