In a proactive step aimed at enhancing health and food security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federation of Saudi Chambers issued an urgent circular to all importers and companies operating in the agricultural and food sector, prohibiting the import of fresh, chilled, and frozen fruits and vegetables from the Indian states of Kerala and West Bengal. This decision came in immediate response to warnings issued by the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) following international reports of an outbreak of the Nipah virus in those regions.
The nature of the Nipah virus and its risks
Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that poses a serious threat to public health. It is primarily transmitted from animals to humans, with fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family being its natural host. The virus's danger lies in its ability to spread through contaminated food, especially fruit that may have come into contact with secretions from infected bats, as well as through direct human-to-human transmission. According to the World Health Organization, the virus causes a range of symptoms, from asymptomatic infection to severe and potentially fatal encephalitis, with relatively high mortality rates, necessitating the utmost caution.
Historical context and recurrence of outbreaks
This is not the first time the Nipah virus has appeared in India; the state of Kerala, in particular, has experienced several outbreaks in recent years (such as in 2018 and 2021), prompting international and local health authorities to closely monitor the situation. The current Saudi measures are consistent with international protocols for dealing with cross-border epidemics, as temporary import bans are a standard procedure to prevent the transmission of pathogens through the food chain.
The role of the "Wiqa" Center and protecting the local market
This decision reflects the pivotal role played by the "Weqaa" Center in protecting the Kingdom from pandemic risks through continuous monitoring of the global health situation and assessment of risks associated with international trade. The relevant authorities stressed the necessity for all importers to comply with the decision immediately, emphasizing that lifting the ban is contingent upon the stabilization of the epidemiological situation in those regions and the elimination of the risk factors. This is to ensure the availability of safe and healthy food for citizens and residents and to protect the local market from any potential health risks.
