The UAE has banned chicken and eggs from being imported from the Mexican district of Acolman following an outbreak of a highly contagious bird flu strain. The ban extends to wild live birds, chicks, hatching eggs, table eggs, poultry meat and non-heat treated by-products until the problem is brought under control. Officials in the Emirates said the precautionary measures were being taken to curb any chance of the H5N8 virus from reaching the UAE. Thermally heated poultry products from Mexico are still being allowed to be imported, according to a statement from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. "Through taking immediate precautionary measures to curb any strains of the bird flu virus that has affected the district of Acolman in Mexico from reaching the UAE, MOCCAE hopes to ensure bio-security levels and prevent the spread of pathogens in the country, said Sheikh Dr Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, director of animal health at the Ministry. “We are confident such efforts will mitigate the impact of the bird flu on the UAE’s poultry health and safety, in addition to protecting public health and well-being." In February, live birds and <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/virus-outbreak-prompts-russian-bird-ban-in-the-uae-1.741899">poultry products from Kuwait </a>were also banned from being imported into the UAE following the similar outbreak of a bird flu strain.