Weqaa Center Implements Program For Saudi Arabia's Animal Disease-Free Status Recognition

The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, known as Weqaa Center, is working to improve Saudi Arabia's veterinary system. They aim to achieve biosecurity by gaining official recognition from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). This recognition confirms the Kingdom's freedom from several significant animal epidemic diseases.

Weqaa Center is preparing detailed reports to meet WOAH’s standards. These reports outline the efforts of Saudi authorities in preventing and combating animal diseases. The goal is to ensure transparency in the epidemiological situation and boost confidence in the country's animal health data.

Recognition from WOAH enhances the credibility of Saudi Arabia's veterinary services. It also highlights the effectiveness of national disease control measures. This initiative aims to improve veterinary service quality and ensure precise health monitoring.

Saudi Arabia has already been recognized by WOAH as free from several major animal diseases. These include highly pathogenic avian influenza as of October 2023, African horse sickness by May 2025, equine infectious anemia in July 2025, and glanders in September 2025.

This disease-free status declaration is expected to facilitate livestock and animal product trade. It will enhance veterinary health systems' efficiency in surveillance, diagnosis, and response. Additionally, it reinforces Saudi Arabia's leading role in protecting animal resources.

The program supports safe international trade of animals and their products. By ensuring transparent health monitoring, it strengthens confidence in officially recorded data. This effort also aims to highlight national disease control measures' effectiveness.

Overall, these initiatives are crucial for improving veterinary services in Saudi Arabia. They ensure that health monitoring is precise and transparent while facilitating international trade safely.

With inputs from SPA