RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture on Monday announced detection of two cases of H5N8 avian flu in Al-Kharj governorate, reported the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi authorities are actively taking measures to contain the virus. In its daily briefing, the ministry affirmed that the number of samples collected from different parts of the Kingdom since the first case was reported reached 13, 861. Bird flu strains have hit poultry flocks in a number of countries across the world in recent years, with some types of the disease also causing human infections and deaths. H5N8 is highly pathogenic to birds (meaning high death rates) and was first discovered in Ireland in 1983. Since then it has been reported in numerous locations around the world. This strain, however, has not caused any human infections so far anywhere in the world. According to an Arab News report published in January, the Saudi Wildlife Authority enforced a ban on the hunting of migratory birds to help prevent avian influenza. The migratory birds include houbara bustards, passerines, flamingos, pelicans, cranes and turtle doves.