The Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry placed the ban on Iraqi food imports, Tareq al-Sabti, director of public relations and media at the public authority for goods and nutrition, confirmed in a statement released on Thursday that, the Kuwait Times reported.
Earlier this week, Dr. Majda al-Qattan, assistant undersecretary for Public Health Affairs in Kuwait, announced that measures were being put in place to prevent a potential cholera outbreak brought across the border by travelers coming from Iraq.
Thousands of patients have been admitted into hospital in Basra with symptoms of diarrhea because of contaminated water, health officials have confirmed.
Dr. Sayf al-Badr, spokesperson for the health ministry in Basra, in a press conference on Thursday, however, said there were no confirmed cases of cholera.
The health crisis sparked renewed protests in the city that turned violent on Thursday with the torching of several party and militia buildings.
Kuwait’s Dr. Qattan said they continue to follow up on the situation in Basra, in coordination with health groups and the World Health Organization (WHO).
She stated that any unlicensed foodstuffs coming from Iraq would be confiscated according to strict regulations by the Kuwait Customs Administration and Ministry of Interior.
Dr. Qattan also warned that anyone with a weak immune system, pregnant women, and children under the age of five-years-old should postpone any travel plans to Iraq until the situation in Basra is under control.
She also advised Iraqis visiting Kuwait to attend the nearest health facility or hospital if they experience symptoms such as diarrhea within their first week in the country.
