Bird Flu Cases Found in Saudi Arabia

Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia serves as a focal point for the spread of many epidemics, such as the spread of polio to Indonesia from Nigeria, in large part due to the numerous people who converge to Mecca for Haj. I am not sure whether or not this is the mechanism of the spread of bird flu to Saudi Arabia....

Bird Flu Cases Found in Saudi Arabia: "RIYADH, 29 January 2006 — Saudi Arabia has culled 37 falcons after some of them tested positive to the H5 virus of the avian flu, the Agriculture Ministry said yesterday.

A ministry team inspecting falcons kept in a veterinary center in Riyadh, which takes care of the birds that are usually used for hunting, discovered the cases, Saudi Press Agency quoted the ministry statement as saying.

The ministry said the 37 falcons, including the five positive cases “were killed and burned.”"