Municipalities and poultry farms keep vigil

Municipality officials throughout the UAE are gearing up to meet any challenge posed by bird flu, officials said yesterday.

The focus is initially on preventing the entry of the virus into the UAE. Should it however enter the country, the effort would be to contain any localised threat and stamp it out before it can spread.

While the municipalities are drawing up their detailed local plans, municipal inspectors are fanning out through poultry farms and related establishments to monitor the situation and educate farmers on the best way to handle infected birds, they said.

Poultry breeders in the oasis city have taken the ministry's prescribed measures to keep a vigil on bird flu at their farms.

A farm worker yesterday said the authorities have asked for keeping a close eye on the birds.

"We regularly administer routine medicines to our birds that are currently healthy and free of any flu and other disease," he added.

He said the authorities have asked the farm owners to quarantine any sick or suspected birds and immediately inform the ministry of agriculture and other concerned authorities via the newly established telephone hotline.

"I believe the UAE is so far free of bird flu due its tight food import criterion, and safety and health measures," he said, adding that the authorities and farms owners, however, must be alert to handle the situation.

Ahmad Khan, another farm worker, said he had established a quarantine at the farm to keep the suspected birds before the authorities arrive for their inspection.