MINA — Despite frequent Ministry of Health's warnings against getting in contact with camels and a ban on slaughtering of camels, pilgrims and Haj establishment staff eat 100 camels a day, Makkah daily reported. It seems that the lovers of camel meat are not scared of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) although several studies have linked the disease to camels. Moreover, restaurants serving camel meat continue to be crowded with camel meat lovers who refuse to believe there is a link between the virus and the meat of their beloved animal. Muhammad Al-Zahrani sells camels. He says one should not worry or feel scared about eating camel meat because restaurants in Makkah slaughter camels outside Makkah as per the instructions and directives of Makkah Emir's Office. A veterinary doctor, who requested anonymity, said camel meat is not banned and the measures taken currently are precautionary in their nature and are related to slaughter of camels in Makkah. Therefore, one can have a camel slaughtered outside Makkah and bring its meat here, especially small camels which showed no link with coronavirus. Dr. Muhammad Fawtawi, director of environment health at Makkah Municipality, confirmed that the measures are precautionary, noting that camel meat is tested before and after slaughter. “There are no health risks from eating camel meat at restaurants serving small camel meat. The real danger lies in getting in direct contact with people or animals suspected of having coronavirus. Generally, the situation is under control and there is no need to worry,” he said.
