Over 20,000 cattle vaccinated in Buraidah ahead of Eid Al-Adha

BURAIDAH — The veterinarian unit under the Ministry of Water and Agriculture in Buraidah vaccinated a total of 20,000 cattle over the past three months, Makkah newspaper reported. Bandar Al-Hidayah, head of the unit, said in preparation for Eid Al-Adha the unit vaccinated 5,000 cows and 15,000 sheep in the past three months. “Three cows died on Thursday and veterinarians have taken samples for lab tests. The results of the tests should be ready by Monday,” Al-Hidayah said. He added that the unit has a protocol to follow whenever cattle die. “Field veterinarians take a sample of the deceased animal and run tests in the laboratory to know the cause of death. The results are revealed within 48 hours. Once the results of the tests are revealed, veterinarians are able to vaccinate other cattle to protect them from the same fate,” said Al-Hidayah. He said the test results also enable the veterinarians to treat the infected cattle. “Viruses and diseases usually spread at the beginning of the summer season and the winter season. The unit runs tests on all cattle it receives. The unit also organizes monthly visits to farms and cattle projects to check up on the cattle and apply preventive medicine,” said Al-Hidayah.