LOC12:09
09:09 GMT
AMMAN, Dec 22 (KUNA) -- Jordan has declared a maximum state of alert to
avert possible spillover of bird flu infecting poultry and birds in
neighboring Saudi Arabia.
The local press, on Saturday, quoted the assistant general secretary for
livestock, Dr. Nasser Al-Hawamdeh, as saying, "We have an emergency ward that
functions throughout the year but we have raised the state of alert to the
highest level and resumed field inspection of samples by dispatching teams of
veteranians to birds farms and poultry stores."
Authorities have imposed a ban on trade of non-processed livestock from
Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has reported culling of thousands of birds after reported four
outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of the disease that is dangerous to humans. The
disease was first detected on a farm in Al-Kharj region, 80 kilometres (50
miles) south of Riyadh. Later, authorities ordered destruction of 13,500
ostriches at a farm. (end)
my.rk
KUNA 221209 Dec 07NNNN