Preventive efforts during the Hajj season: Successfully promoting animal health
As part of its extensive preparations to serve the pilgrims, the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) continues its tremendous field efforts during the Hajj season. These strategic initiatives primarily aim to enhance animal health and ensure environmental safety in the Holy Sites and surrounding areas. Through an integrated operational system, the Center strives to implement a series of monitoring and inspection activities that guarantee the safety of livestock in markets and agricultural sites, reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing the best possible services to the pilgrims of the Sacred House of God.
A long history of care: The evolution of the prevention system in the holy sites
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on the health and safety of pilgrims, as evidenced by the continuous development of its veterinary and agricultural services. With millions of pilgrims arriving annually, the need arises to manage the vast numbers of livestock designated for sacrificial offerings. In past decades, efforts focused on basic veterinary checks, but with institutional development and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specialized entities such as the "Wiqa'a" Center have been established to provide a comprehensive scientific approach based on epidemiological surveillance and proactive control, ensuring a healthy, disease-free environment during the world's largest human gatherings.
Numbers and statistics: Intensive inspection tours to ensure food safety
To translate these objectives into tangible results, the “Wiqa’a” Center explained that its field operations were carried out with the participation of 50 specialized staff members, distributed across 17 field teams. These teams effectively contributed to conducting more than 4,737 monitoring and awareness visits targeting public markets and slaughterhouses. In addition, 2,657 visits were conducted specifically for investigating and controlling disease vectors. In a move that underscores the rigor of the procedures, the field teams undertook the thorough examination of more than 92,111 head of livestock to mitigate any risks associated with infectious diseases and protect public health.
Protecting vegetation: Proactive measures in combating agricultural pests
The center's efforts were not limited to animal husbandry; they extended to agricultural monitoring and surveying. "Waqaa" conducted extensive field surveys covering more than 29,024 hectares to combat desert locusts. Additionally, 8,981 dunams were surveyed to control the black grasshopper and grasshopper infestations, as part of the center's proactive plans to protect vegetation and agricultural resources in Makkah and Madinah, thus ensuring a safe and stable environment.
Strategic dimensions: The impact of promoting animal health locally and internationally
The profound importance of these measures extends far beyond the geographical boundaries of the holy sites. Locally, enhancing animal health contributes to protecting the national livestock from the introduction of any transboundary diseases that might be introduced by imported animals. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in controlling zoonotic diseases during the Hajj season serves as a safeguard for global health security. Pilgrims return to their home countries from all corners of the earth, and ensuring their food and environmental safety prevents the spread of any potential epidemics to their countries, thus highlighting the Kingdom's leading role in managing crowds in a healthy manner.
In conclusion, the National Center for Prevention (Wiqa’) affirms that these tireless efforts are part of a comprehensive national strategy to serve the pilgrims. By enhancing the preparedness of the prevention system, the Kingdom is fulfilling its ambitious goals of providing high-quality services and ensuring a healthy and safe environment that allows pilgrims to perform their rituals with peace of mind and ease.
