In a report by the Arab News, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Riyadh announced the temporary ban on the import of live birds, hatching eggs and chicks from Malaysia after a warning was issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Also affected by the temporary import ban was the state of Tennessee in the US, after the OIE issued the same warning.
However in a report by Bernama on March 25, the Veterinary Services Department assured Malaysian consumers that broiler chickens and eggs available in the market were safe for consumption.
The department said the products were supplied by the country’s chicken breeders and operators, and were certified free from the H5N1 avian flu.
It also said breeders and operators were constantly monitoring the situation and imposing controls on the birds’ movement in their respective states.