The Ministry of Health has been entrusted with the task of fighting the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus ahead of the Haj season which witnesses mass gatherings of people from all parts of the world.

The Health Ministry will be supported by three ministries, Interior, Agriculture and Municipal Affairs, according to recommendations from higher authorities.

Regarding the various support functions of the three ministries, sources said that the mission of the Interior Ministry supports containment efforts in general and facilitates their implementation by authorities.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been assigned to implement quarantine procedures of imported camels for a period of between 10-14 days and evaluate the feasibility of testing these animals. In addition, they will study the development of a vaccine for coronavirus and ask for approval from relevant authorities to use the vaccine on young camels. They will also activate a program for the prior testing of camels.

The Agriculture Ministry will also cooperate with the provinces’ governorates to make an inventory of camels, their owners and speed up the process by having the camels fitted with an electronic chip to ease the follow up procedures.

The Municipal and Rural Affairs will review livestock specifications in abattoirs to protect workers and citizens from infections according to the new information released about the link of the corona virus with camels.

The ministry will ensure that workers are especially protected from nasal secretions. The ministry is also responsible for drafting directions and specifications to limit the number of camels and their movements until the health surveys have been completed.