JEDDAH: The Ministry of Agriculture has banned the transportation of camels in Al-Khumra area in Jeddah after the Ministry of Health announced that a camel butcher in the city contracted Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Batshan said laboratory tests have detected a positive reading for MERS in about 20 of the camels examined.

He said the veterinary teams have taken all necessary steps to prevent transmission of the disease, with the coordination of a number of other concerned government bodies, including the Health Department in Jeddah, the secretariat and the police.

The precautionary measures included prohibition of transporting camels to and from the camel market until the competent authorities make sure that the animals are free from the virus, to isolate the ones with virus and to raise awareness among those who frequently come into contact with the camels to take preventive measures to reduce transmission rates.