Bahrain put on high alert against bird flu

BAHRAIN is stepping up vigilance against bird flu, as winter closes in.
Winter is "a good time for the flu virus to develop", so the chances of infection are higher than in summer, said Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry's animal wealth director Dr Salman Abdul Nabi Ebrahim.
"However, there is no reason to panic since we are on high alert as always and continue to carry out tests on birds, including those migrating from other countries," he said.
Dr Ebrahim said a meeting of GCC officials, which ended in Riyadh last Monday, decided to keep every member state updated on the developments and share information on any suspected outbreak.
"Bahrain's contingency plans are also constantly being updated and all those responsible, including the ministries of Health, Interior and Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, are prepared for any exigency," he said.
Dr Ebrahim said tests were being carried out by randomly shooting birds, with the help of Interior Ministry marksmen.
"We are also collecting bird faeces and doing random tests," he said.
The official said if any country had an outbreak of the disease, Bahrain would immediately ban imports of live birds.
He said a team of experts are regularly advising farmers about the symptoms of bird flu.
Health Ministry communicable diseases department head Dr Muna Al Mousawi told the GDN that Bahrain had an active bird flu treatment programme since there was a greater risk of the virus coming into the country in the winter.
This is because of increased migration of birds from colder countries, as well as the virus' ability to thrive during winter.
She said a special ward was set up in March this year to handle possible bird flu patients.
"An 18-bed isolation ward at Salmaniya Medical Complex is staffed by four nurses, two chest physicians, and two intravenous and two intensive care specialists, who are on duty on a rotation basis," said Dr Al Mousawi.
She said the ministry had also stockpiled enough anti-flu medication (anti-viral drugs) to treat 25 per cent of its adult population, which was more than the five per cent required by the World Health Organisation.