A Saudi man looks through a pair of binoculars before releasing his falcon during a falcon contest in a desert near Tabuk city, in this January 17, 2014 photo.

The Ministry of Agriculture has warned citizens and the residents all over the Kingdom of the dangers of hunting or coming into contact with migrant birds that are currently traveling through Saudi Arabia.

The warning comes in the wake of recent press news originating from Europe that has identified some cases of birds in the area being infected with the deadly bird flu virus.

The ministry said that European health and veterinarian authorities have taken the necessary measures in order to prevent bird-to-human contamination through their issuing of a widespread, early warning.

The ministry has further stressed that the initial 2006 ban on importing live birds to the Kingdom is still valid, and is a measure that will ensure, along with Allah’s will, the blockage of any virus of this type from entering the Kingdom.

The ministry is monitoring the global and local situation of this disease, and is staying in close contact with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and other relevant organizations.

 
[wpResize]