After the news that Bird Flu reached Kuwait; rumors started going around about how you can get Bird Flu from brushing your teeth and dust storms. I sat down with Mohammed Al-Fraih, leading Kuwaiti poultry expert and PAAF Board Director (Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries), to discuss and understand the discovery of Bird Flu in Kuwait:
How did bird flu reach Kuwait?
The discovery Bird flu into Kuwait is most likely due to birds immigrating from the East; or the introduction of imported private-birds such as Falcons, Parrots and Pigeons brought in by individuals from outside of Kuwait.Was there any way to prevent Bird Flu in Kuwait?
Not necessarily In the case of immigrant birds, it is almost impossible to control their interaction with local birds and travel path.
As for the imported private birds; there should have been further restrictions regarding the introduction of new birds into Kuwait without sufficient testing. However, the majority of private-birds are smuggled into Kuwait with no record of importation or testing.Where do you believe the infected bird was found?
I do not believe the Bird Flu was discovered within the Kuwaiti Zoo. The first case of Bird Flu was discovered with a Falcon imported into Kuwait.How are humans infected by Bird Flu?
The biggest danger is with people who are in direct contact with live poultry/birds on a daily basis. There is a high possibly that the virus may transfer from the affected birds to the person. That was the case in most countries with severe outbreaks such as Egypt, China and Indonesia; where people raised birds and poultry in their own homes.
As long the general public is not in direct contact with infected birds they will not be affected. However, the current risk involves the virus mutating and transferring from Human to Human; which has not happened yet (no cases have been recorded).What happens if someone was to contract Bird flu?
There are several effective vaccinations and treatments available within Kuwait. We know more about the virus since its introduction a few years back.Should we continue to eat chickens?
Yes, there is no danger in the consumption of poultry/birds as long as it is cooked properly. Properly cooking poultry eliminates most viruses and bacteria, such as bird flu and salmonella.Is the Government doing enough to control the spread of Bird Flu in Kuwait?
The Government is currently spraying all poultry houses and any interactions within the farms with disinfectant (Virkon-S) which will eliminate over 2000 forms of viruses and bacteria; including bird flu. There are currently 35 units dispatched to farms and poultry houses to eliminate the spread of Bird Flu.
If anyone has any questions regarding Bird Flu in Kuwait; leave a question in the comments and I will pass it on.
eeeh rizhom razza!
Thanks for the info.
I’m going to call Asha’s back so i can have my Butter Chicken.
But wait, then why is the government shutting down the dawaajin? I mean, if you cook it enough…. right?
Yazeed:
Shh ..
ArcheologyUncovered:
The Baladiya-Government is shutting down the live poultry stores .. they are a potentially dangerous breeding ground for Bird-Flu and interaction with Humans. The farms and slaughterhouses are vaccinated and disinfected .. basically; if its already dead, your in the clear.
I’m currently eating rediculous amounts of chicken and the news has not stopped my rediculous consumption of chicken yet.
What about raw meat? Its dead but can another animal such as a dog contract it from eating raw chicken?
Ok so the government is spraying and taking care of the farms and poultry houses .. but what about the residential areas?
I mean a couple of our neibours have home (7oush) farms and we are feeling uneasy as they often let their chickens out? any hope the government will crack down on them?
how is bird flu transmitted from a bird to a human?? is it viral, through saliva…..?????
aaaaaaaaaaah! me being a veggie has less problems from meat born troubles LOL! although felafel tastes so awkward for me these days, I am managing hehehe!
jokes aside, I have just added bird flu to the business resumption plan documentations! I am looking for me info about it. there seems no sense of preparation happened to tackle something of this sort. they blame it on smuggled pets…which may not be a false conclusion.
If you want more info about bird flu, go to the website above.
I’d sure like to know what’s going on in Kuwait with bird flu. Looks like your government officials aren’t being entirely honest.
Scientists believe bird flu is spread by wild birds. There’s no way to stop wild birds from flying around, dropping virus all over the place.
Please let us know what’s going on there, if you would. And any containment measures you see firsthand, yourself. We get some of the official news…from the internet…but we don’t really trust it…
Thank you so much!
from the other side of the world,
Julie
Does the disinfectant (Virkon-S) sprayed in poultry houses have negative effects on humans who eat the poultry that comes from that house?
- manabee ensid ‘3aar e6ee7 6oofa
I say let the chickens have their revenge. They’ve taken shit from humans for far too long!
Can you get it by eating a cooked egg? I just thought about that? Like you know chinese food has egg in it, can you get it from that?
Marzouq:
Animals (and Humans) could get bird-flu if they consume raw infected birds.
Faisal:
If you see anything suspicous .. call the MoH; they will come and take samples.
Eddy:
In the cases that it does transfer (there haven’t been any Human Transfers in Kuwait); it would be from interaction (saliva/blood).
CyberRowdy:
Send me an email with any questions you have .. I can forward it to Mohammed and his colleagues.
Julie in California:
In Kuwait there are two developments with Bird-Flu; immigrant birds and imported birds. Those are the ones effected by the bird-flu virus. The government is disinfecting commercial poulty houses and closing down live-poultry stores.
Boss:
Sheeps go to heaven .. goats go to hell.
Marzouq:
Nope .. Eggs are not affected by Bird-Flu.. and anything (eggs/chickens) cooked would kill off the virus.
Thank you very much for this post cause i had lots of questions myself. RE: the birds outside in Kuwait City: all those bird feces and dead ones on the street aren’t they dangerous - especially when you see cats feasting on the dead pigeons on the sidewalks? Is anyone doing anything about that?
This stuff is scary
Tht’s one for the Avians.
Guyz….today 4 bengalidish people got cought with the bird flu….–.–