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More evidence of how well entrenched the H5N1 virus has become in Saudi Arabia. Over the past month, there have been at least 20 culling operations publicly acknowledged.
Saudi culls 13,500 ostriches after new bird flu discovery
Health 12/15/2007 11:28:00 AM
RIYADH, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- Up to 13,500 ostriches have been culled in an open farm near the Saudi capital, Riyadh, after a new case of high-intensity avian influenza, or bird flu, was discovered, the Ministry of Health said Saturday.
The project consisted of 80 barns holding 13,500 ostriches, a ministry statement said, adding that the birds were culled at the farm in Al-Kharj, 150 km (94 miles) south of Riyadh.
Full preventive measures have been taken and the entire stock was executed through proper methods; the site was sanitized and closed off.
The statement urged farm owners and poultry producers to intensify their prevention measures. Cooperation on the side of the citizens and residents with the concerned authorities is essential through reporting suspicious or dead bird cases, it added. (end) od.msa KUNA 151128 Dec 07NNNN
