The United Arab Emirates has banned all imports of live birds and feathers from Turkey and Romania due to the presence of cases of bird flu in these two countries.
The decision by the Agriculture Ministry, carried by the state's WAM news agency, appeared to be the first by an Arab country and comes a day after the European Commission issued a similar ban.
Annual trade between the UAE and Turkey is currently valued at about $1 billion, Reuters reported.
A study released in August by the Abu Dhabi Environment Authority has warned against the possible danger of the bird flu virus finding its way into the UAE and the ability of the virus spreading to human beings. The 31-pages study highlighted on bird flu and its implications for the UAE, the nature of the virus, its spread in birds and humans, how deadly is the virus countries infected from 2003 to 2005.
The study called for a contingency plan for the UAE to deal with the virus, procure stocks of vaccines, anti viral drugs and Vitamin C supplements are equally important towards preparedness and will go a long way in dealing with any such eventuality without panic and chaos.
