UAE | Health
Domestic poultry faces risk from virus
Prevention of infection of domestic poultry is most important in averting a bird flu outbreak in the UAE, warns a regional bird expert, who also advises the public to be vigilant.
- All poultry birds in farms are reported to be in good health in the UAE, says official.
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
Dubai: Prevention of infection of domestic poultry is most important in averting a bird flu outbreak in the UAE, warns a regional bird expert.
Peter Hellyer, ornithologist and member of the Emirates Bird Records Committee, told Gulf News that authorities and the public should exercise utmost vigilance in ensuring imported birds were healthy.
"It is believed that the source of potential infection arises from domestic poultry, by bringing in infected poultry and mixing them with domestic poultry, he said.
He added that wild birds were unlikely culprits in spreading bird flu in domestic birds and poultry as "they will die before they get very far". So far, there is little evidence that the domestic poultry has been compromised.
Certificates mandatory
Dr Hussain Hassanain, technical secretary for the Emirates Poultry Association, told Gulf News that the group has not received any reports of sick chickens.
"All poultry in farms are reported to be in good health in the UAE. But in the case of backyard chicken farming, that will be up to the committee for bird flu to take action," he added.
The committee made health certificates mandatory for live poultry and birds imported into the country. Pet birds and exotic birds also need a Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) before entering the country.
Share this article
Related Articles
More from UAE Health
More from UAE
Popular in UAE

-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- How I got into grad school in New York
- Committee plans for National Day
- Gallery gives helping hand to children's charity
- Failed heist: Gang ditches electrocuted member
- Rule of law 'necessary' for investment
- Students opt for vocational training
- Red Line Metro stations to open in February
- Vaccination drive for Haj pilgrims launched
- British athlete becomes first to swim around Palm
- 287 street vendors, beggars held in Dubai
- Call for entries to the third AUS Model United Nations
- Talk your way to the top
- Notes in Brief
- Man jumps to death after car tyre burst
- Burst pipe on SZR causes Metro station closures
Community Reports
-
Public transport is the way to go
Residents must stop complaining about feeder buses taking up parking space
-
Be kind to animals
Mistreated Labrador and puppy need new home filled with love
-
Help me find my precious cat
Raif, my cute eight-month-old ‘fur ball', went missing in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen area last month
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking


