Via The Peninsula: MERS: Vets begin farm visits to test livestock. Excerpt:
The Ministry of Environment is taking measures to protect livestock in the country, especially camels, after three camels in a farm were found infected with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The cases were detected in a farm where 14 camels were kept. Other camels in the farm have been isolated and examined as a precautionary measure.
These are the first cases of animals in the country having been infected with MERS, which has caused the death of five people, including two expatriates. Nine people, six of them Qataris, have tested positive for the virus so far.
The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and the ministry said in a joint statement on Wednesday that the three MERS cases among camels were linked to two human cases that had been cured.
There are no sufficient scientific information about the role of animals in the transmission of the disease and its spread, said the statement.
The incident has prompted authorities to take precautionary measures, according to Al Sharq. Veterinarians from the ministry have started visiting farms and grazing grounds across the country to test animals for potential infection.
All suspected cases involving animals and people who come in contact with them will be isolated and tested as a precaution, said the daily.
The ministry also plans a nationwide survey to assess the health condition of livestock and their vulnerability to the deadly virus.
According to figures cited by the daily, there are 66,682 camels in the country, the majority of which are in Al Shamal Municipality (54,583).
