Weqaa Center Boosts Efforts to Keep Kingdom Free of Animal Diseases

As part of its efforts to enhance the efficiency of the national veterinary system and achieve biosecurity, the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa Center) is implementing a specialized program to obtain official recognition from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) confirming the Kingdom’s freedom from several major animal epidemic diseases of economic, health, and trade significance.
 The program involves preparing comprehensive dossiers detailing the efforts of relevant Saudi authorities in preventing and combating these diseases, in line with WOAH’s requirements. This recognition supports transparency in the epidemiological situation, strengthens confidence in the officially recorded animal health data, and enhances the credibility of the Kingdom’s veterinary services.
 The initiative aims to highlight the effectiveness of national disease control measures, improve the quality of veterinary services, and ensure precise and transparent health monitoring, while facilitating the safe international trade of animals and animal products.
 These efforts have already resulted in WOAH officially recognizing the Kingdom as free from several major animal diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza in October 2023, African horse sickness in May 2025, equine infectious anemia in July 2025, and glanders in September 2025.
 The declaration of the Kingdom’s disease-free status is expected to facilitate the import and export of livestock and animal products, enhance the efficiency of veterinary health systems in surveillance, diagnosis, and response, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s leading role in protecting and sustaining animal resources.