Saudi Arabia stocks up on bird flu vaccine

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia is stocking up on antiviral drugs in an effort to counter any bird flu outbreak in the kingdom, including in Mecca, which hosts millions of Muslim pilgrims every year.

Health Minister Hamad al-Manei ordered the purchase of the drug Tamiflu and said priority groups had been identified for vaccination if there was not enough for all.

So far there are no reports that birds in Saudi Arabia have been infected with the deadly H5N1 virus or any of its variants.

But Saudi officials are taking precautions ahead of the huge influx of pilgrims.

Mecca hosts Muslims from across the world throughout the year, but the largest numbers - around 2 million - come for the haj pilgrimage, which will take place in early January.

The huge annual influx of people from all over the globe is a frequent headache for Saudi health officials and fears of a bird flu outbreak this year will bring extra concern, even though it does not yet pass from human to human.

The health ministry spokesman said containment measures in the event of bird flu reaching the kingdom would include travel restrictions, closing schools and quarantining those involved in an outbreak for seven days.

Workers in all Mecca hospitals and health centres will be given the drug if any outbreak occurs, as well as Saudis working at the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina, the spokesman said.

Priority groups for vaccination would also include people most likely to be exposed to the virus - those close to an outbreak, workers on chicken farms, the elderly or ill and those working in clinics set up to test for bird flu cases.

Saudi Arabia's Agriculture Ministry has already said it is imposing bans on the importation of chickens and birds from any country where an outbreak has been confirmed.

- REUTERS