The National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) in the Makkah region has intensified its field efforts to promote the “One Health” initiative through extensive campaigns to combat disease vectors. These efforts have resulted in 2,800 detailed investigations and the treatment of 6,000 critical sites, a step aimed at protecting public health and limiting the spread of epidemics in the densely populated region.
Strengthening the One Health System in Makkah
The efforts of the "Wiqaa" Center in the Makkah region are of paramount strategic importance, given the religious and geographical significance of the area, which receives millions of visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers annually. The center's adoption of the "One Health" concept stems from the close interrelationship between human health, animal health, and environmental safety. Field teams operate according to a preventative strategy aimed at disrupting the life cycle of disease vectors before they reach populated areas, thus directly contributing to raising the level of health and environmental security in the Kingdom.
The center launched extensive operations to curb the spread of vector-borne diseases, with animal health teams implementing the operational plan for field surveys and entomological and larval investigations. These operations covered the Holy City of Mecca, and the governorates of Taif, Al-Qunfudhah, Al-Khurmah, and Jeddah, to ensure comprehensive coverage of potential vector breeding sites.
Field control and treatment strategies
Field teams are focusing their efforts intensively on targeted and high-risk sites, particularly ponds and marshes located outside populated areas, which provide a breeding ground for insects. These proactive measures aim to:
- Accurately identifying and classifying insect species.
- Assessing its epidemiological risk and potential for disease transmission.
- Take immediate measures to address insect breeding sites before they worsen.
Specialized teams use a diverse range of advanced treatment methods that combine biological, environmental, and chemical control to ensure the complete elimination of vectors in safe and sustainable ways.
Inspection tours and quality assurance
In line with its commitment to high-quality performance and rapid response, the Director General of the Center's branch in the Makkah region, Dr. Ghaleb bin Abdulghani Al-Saadi, conducted an inspection tour of the teams' work in Jeddah. Dr. Al-Saadi personally assessed the readiness of the disease vector control teams to ensure that their investigation and control tasks were being carried out according to approved plans and with the highest standards of efficiency.
Through this continuous monitoring, the center's management seeks to enhance the effectiveness of rapid response to any environmental emergency, thus contributing to the implementation of the comprehensive "One Health" concept. Official statistics for the fourth quarter of 2025 revealed a significant achievement: the execution of over 2,800 detailed larval and insect surveys. These efforts culminated in preventative control and treatment measures covering more than 6,000 vital sites across the Makkah region, achieving their precisely defined objectives.
