There are many reasons why no one should say we are safe from bird flu. First of all, the season for Haj and Umrah has begun and second, the seasonal migration of birds from northern Europe and Asia to and through the Middle East has begun.
This leads us to a very pertinent question: What precautionary measures have been taken by the Saudi ministries of health and agriculture to counter the threat? Have any special ministerial committees, tasked with preventing the entry of bird flu into the country? Are there special centers to monitor new viruses? Is there a disease control center specializing in everything that might be related to bird flu at the Ministry of Agriculture?
I know that creating such a center needs time and effort and that it is difficult to do so in a short time. Nonetheless, it is of vital importance that centers to deal with matters, such as viruses, diseases and migratory birds, be set up as soon as possible. The centers should be unified, with all of them ultimately coming under the Ministry of Health. Residents and farm owners should cooperate with the centers and report any instance of animal or poultry diseases.
We in the Kingdom have a real problem because Haj is on our doorstep. From the beginning of November, we will be receiving pilgrims. This Haj season happens to coincide with the season when birds migrate and also with the winter flu season. The usual cases of winter flu could somehow become linked to bird flu and the results could be catastrophic.
Our borders will be open for all pilgrims to enter — many of them from areas where bird flu has appeared. It is also common for pilgrims to bring birds with them to sell when they come to the Kingdom. It is very important to take all necessary precautions. We should set up a higher administration that involves all government bodies that are related to Haj and the environment and the monitoring of bird flu. We need to establish advanced medical centers very quickly in order to monitor bird flu. The next war is going to be against viruses.
Many countries are using medical research for both military and political purposes. The world is facing a new biological war. It is very important to make students aware and to give them a role to perform in keeping the country safe.
