In light of the recent bird deaths taking place in Al-Kharj Governorate, caused by the infection of Bird Flu (also known as: avian influenza), the Ministry of Health (MOH), proceeding from its responsibility to preserve the health and safety of the Saudi citizens and residents, is keen to make clear that the laboratory and clinical results of the examinations conducted on all the workers in contact with the infected birds have been negative for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or (H5N1). Therefore, no human infections have been recorded. And the Ministry of Health has developed a curative and preventive plan to carry out in case of recording any future human infections, God Forbid!
It is worth mentioning that there is a joint national plan, involving all the governmental authorities relevant to the fight against Bird Flu; namely, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs). Given the HPAI (H5N1) mainly affects birds, and could be transmitted to human beings through direct contact with the infected birds, the fight against the Bird Flu should be preliminarily directed towards the prevention of the diseases in birds and poultry. It should be noted, in conclusion, that human-to-human transmission has not occurred so far.