The government decision was made at a meeting of the National Emergency Committee on Bird Flu which discussed a ban on entry of poultry products with inbound passengers' baggage.

In view of the fact that most cases infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus in Kuwait were among falcons, the meeting also discussed a quarantine of the birds of prey in the UAE and their testing for the H5N1 virus.

UAE Minister of Environment and Water Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi was quoted as saying after the meeting that "a decision was taken to publicize the precautionary measures being taken by the emirates, such as the closure of bird-selling outlets located in residential complexes."

He noted that food shipments will only be allowed into the country via the Ghuweifat border check post and international airports at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

"The imported food consignments must also carry the certificates of origin. Trucks carrying food consignment will be thoroughly screened at all border check points," he added.

Source: People's Daily Online