JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Ministry has imposed a ban on the import of live birds, incubated eggs and chicks from Nepal as a precaution against high-risk bird influenza, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Dr. Sanad Al-Harbi, Director General of Livestock Risks Evaluation Department at the ministry, said the ban has been imposed following reports about an outbreak of bird flu in Nepal.
He said it is a step taken in the interest of the public and to prevent the spread of the disease in the Kingdom.
The director general of the Quarantine General Department, Dr. Osama Al-Saleh, said the ban order has been circulated over all quarantines of the Kingdom. Bird flu strains have hit poultry flocks in a number of countries across the world in recent years, with some types of the disease also causing human infections and deaths.
H5N8 is highly pathogenic to birds (high death rates) and was first discovered in Ireland in 1983. Since then it has been reported in numerous locations around the world. AN Jeddah
Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from Nepal over bird flu
Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from Nepal over bird flu
- Bird flu strains have hit poultry flocks in a number of countries across the world in recent years
- H5N8 is highly pathogenic to birds (high death rates) and was first discovered in Ireland in 1983
Saudi leadership directs increase in aid relief for Palestinians in Gaza
- KSrelief chief underscored that Saudi humanitarian efforts are a part of the Kingdom’s historical role in supporting Palestinians
LONDON: The leadership of Saudi Arabia has directed an increase in air, sea, and land relief efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where nearly 2 million Palestinians reside.
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, underscored that Saudi humanitarian efforts are a part of the Kingdom’s historical role in supporting Palestinians.
He added that “Palestine will remain firmly established in the conscience of the Kingdom,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Since the war in Gaza began in late 2023, KSrelief has dispatched 77 planes and eight ships carrying over 7,699 tons of food, medical supplies, and shelter materials. Additionally, 912 Saudi relief trucks have arrived in the Gaza Strip with food aid and medical equipment.
KSrelief delivered 20 ambulances to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and signed agreements totaling $90 million for relief projects in Gaza, along with airdrops in partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces to facilitate aid delivery.
Al-Rabiah expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the directive to intensify humanitarian efforts in support of the Palestinian people amid the current crisis, the SPA added.
