The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has officially declared the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia free of Glanders disease. This declaration is based on the technical evaluation conducted by the organization on the Kingdom's comprehensive dossier, in strict compliance with the approved international standards and requirements for declaring countries free of epidemic animal diseases.
Glanders is a serious and contagious animal disease that primarily affects equines, posing a significant threat to the health of the equine population. Consequently, this official declaration represents a pivotal step toward enhancing the safety of the livestock environment within the Kingdom, ensuring the continuity of equine-related activities without any health or regulatory impediments.
This milestone reflects the high efficiency of the Kingdom’s veterinary system and the effectiveness of the implemented proactive surveillance and control programs, which have directly contributed to preventing the spread of high-risk animal diseases.
Furthermore, this international recognition of the Kingdom’s Glanders-free status will significantly bolster international veterinary trade. It will also build the confidence of international partners in the veterinary services provided for animals, particularly regarding horse health, cross-border movement, and participation in regional and international equestrian competitions.
The relevant authorities continue to execute advanced animal health strategies, which encompass Early Detection (الرصد المبكر), effective control, and ongoing cooperation with international organizations, thereby strengthening the Kingdom's global standing.
It is worth noting that national efforts in this sector rely on an integrated methodology to monitor animal diseases, focusing on early detection, rapid response, and effective mitigation. These efforts aim to elevate the efficiency of the animal health ecosystem and achieve a Kingdom free of epidemic diseases.
These sustained efforts have previously resulted in the Kingdom receiving several official certification certificates declaring it free of various animal diseases, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (إنفلونزا الطيور عالي الضراوة), African Horse Sickness (طاعون الخيل الأفريقي), and Equine Infectious Anemia (أنيميا الخيل).
This achievement reaffirms the Kingdom's continuous commitment to enhancing veterinary health security, upgrading its preventive systems, and maintaining ongoing coordination at both regional and international levels.