Livestock inspection during Hajj: Securing 8 million head of livestock in Mecca and Medina
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of pilgrims and provide a healthy and secure environment, the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) announced the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring plan that included examining livestock during Hajj to ensure they were free of epidemic and infectious diseases. These exceptional efforts resulted in subjecting more than 8.1 million head of livestock and poultry to rigorous and thorough veterinary examinations in Makkah and Madinah during the 1447 AH Hajj season, in coordination with various relevant government agencies to enhance biosecurity and protect public health.
The importance of livestock inspection during Hajj to protect global health security
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world's largest religious gatherings, bringing together millions of Muslims from around the globe in a specific geographical area at the same time. This massive gathering presents enormous health and environmental challenges, making biosecurity measures, particularly the inspection of livestock during Hajj, a cornerstone for preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's success in ensuring the safety of sacrificial animals and meat provided to pilgrims has positive repercussions not only domestically but also internationally and regionally. It directly contributes to preventing the cross-border transmission of epidemics upon the pilgrims' return to their home countries, thus solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global leader in crowd management and public health.
Numbers and statistics: Details of the inspection tours of the “Wiqa” Center
To achieve these ambitious goals, the “Wiqa” Center mobilized significant human and technical resources. Sixty-seven field teams, comprising 191 specialized personnel, conducted approximately 12,676 inspection tours targeting public markets and slaughterhouses to ensure veterinary compliance. These intensive operations coincided with an additional 10,063 tours dedicated to investigating and controlling disease vectors in various vital locations.
The stringent controls at the entry points to the Holy City resulted in the inspection of 1,266,912 head of sheep and cattle before their entry into the holy sites. Field inspections also extended to 1,307,449 head of livestock, in addition to thorough veterinary checks on 5,563,135 poultry birds to ensure their complete suitability for human consumption and to provide healthy food for the pilgrims.
Protecting vegetation cover and combating agricultural pests
The efforts of the “Wiqa” Center were not limited to animal protection alone, but also included a comprehensive botanical approach to protect the environment and vegetation in and around the holy sites. Field survey teams contained desert locust activity through extensive field control operations covering an area of 84,364 hectares. In addition, 6,290 hectares were subjected to close monitoring and control operations targeting outbreaks of black pox and grasshopper, to ensure the safety of crops and the agricultural environment surrounding the holy sites.
Historical background and ongoing development of crowd management in a healthy way
Historically, Hajj seasons in past centuries have faced numerous health challenges related to epidemics and infectious diseases. With the establishment of the modern Saudi state, the Kingdom has placed healthcare and ensuring the safety of pilgrims at the forefront of its priorities. This system has evolved over the decades, transforming from simple treatment procedures into a comprehensive preventative system that relies on modern technologies, rapid laboratory analysis, and strict monitoring of land, air, and sea entry points. The establishment of the National Center for Health and Safety (Wiqa’) is a strategic step to reinforce this historical legacy and achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in providing the best services to the pilgrims and ensuring their safe return home.
