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No bird flu case detected in UAE

Majid Al Mansouri, Environment Agency Secretary-General, pointed out that analysis conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, following a random taking of 600 samples from the Northern Emirates, had shown negative result of any bird flu infection. He said the reports received recently through the hotlines show that 15 birds, including fowls, pigeons and ducks, were reported dead.

"Following the report, all the authorities concerned moved in swiftly to check the cause which turned out to be poison-related," he said, adding that about 80 reports were received through the hotlines during the Eid Al Fitr holidays but they were all related to seeking explanation about preventive measures.

He said there is greater cooperation between his outfit and all the quarters concerned in the country adding that all the necessary measures had been taken to forestall any eventuality.

He pointed out that a study was being conducted on the possibility of using some schools and enclosed buildings to serve as quarantine centre as part of the contingency plan to combat the virus in case it surfaces in the country. "Every eventuality is being carefully considered," he added.

He said municipalities throughout the country were conducting regular spraying and sterilisation rounds, adding that training courses to this effect were also being organised to keep everything under total control.

He said a mock emergency drill on the discovery of the virus in the country might be held next month to test the combat readiness of all the authorities concerned on how best they can practically tackle the issue in case the virus appeared in the UAE, adding that courses on crisis management were being organised.

"A workshop would be held tomorrow (Wednesday) on crisis management of the bird flu virus. All quarters involved in the national emergency plan will participate in the workshop," he said, adding that the workshop would be supervised by a foreign expert in crisis management, who is currently in the country at the invitation of the Shell oil company.

Meanwhile, a study is currently underway to assess the losses that the country might incur should the disease breaks out.

According to Al Mansouri, the study will cover the poultry sector and other economic sectors. "This is in view of the fact that the Dutch expert who visited the UAE last week has stressed the need for dealing with the economic aspect of the issue within the framework of the national contingency plan," he said.

Al Mansouri said there was total coordination between the ADEA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

• UAE