Kuwait bans import of live birds from Europe, Asia

Kuwaiti authorities yesterday announced a temporary ban on the import of all types of live birds from three European countries and eight countries in south-eastern Asia due to an outbreak of avian flu.

According to a statement by the state’s Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR), the ban encompasses all types of live birds, hatching eggs and one-day-old chicks.

The import ban includes Switzerland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, PAAAFR added.

Avian flu virus first emerged in 2004 and spread into China, Indonesia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

In January, PAAAFR issued a ban on importing all types live birds from Spain following an outbreak of the so-called West Nile Fever disease.

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