Authorities have imposed a ban on removing livestock from Makkah during Haj, Dr. Fahd Balghunaim Minister of Agriculture, said here Saturday. He said his ministry has adopted a number of preventive measures to avoid a recurrence of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and bird flu, pointing out that the ban on importing live birds was still in place. The government is taking extra precautions since there was a suspected case of RVF in Asir Region recently after a Bangladeshi national was hospitalized there with symptoms of the disease. The minister said importing livestock from Sudan and Syria has been resumed to meet the increasing demand during this season after confirming implementation of health specifications by the two countries. “The ministry has provided additional staff for Makkah Region's land and sea entry points in order to deal with the increasing number of livestock arriving in Jeddah. The staff include veterinary personnel working round the clock to examine animals at entry points,” Balghunaim said.
