A permanent task force for emergency health cases related to bird flu will be set up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Emirates News Agency reported on Sunday.

The task force will work to prevent entry into the UAE of poultry products and live birds in the custody of travelers entering into the country, according to an administrative decree issued by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE interior minister.

"No traveler entering the UAE shall be allowed to carry whatever quantity of any raw or un-manufactured poultry product or live birds, including egg, meat, or even a feather," the decree said.

The task force will comprise experts and representatives from the government and the armed forces.

First detected on Feb. 25, bird flu outbreak in Kuwait has raised concerns in the Gulf region.

It was reported that Kuwait had controlled bird flu to a large extent, with the total cases at 53.

Source: Xinhua