Agriculture officials have said there is no cause for alarm following the death of cattle in Al-Majma'a, east of Buraidah, from foot and mouth disease. The head of the General Agricultural Authority in the region said that an animal vaccination campaign would begin Saturday, but assured livestock owners that “everything is under control”. “The recorded cases are few and far between, and below the normal average,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Dakheel. “There are no fears of it spreading or threatening the Kingdom's livestock.” At least two cows and eight sheep have reportedly died from the disease, which Al-Dakheel described as “not a new illness”. “The Agricultural Authority has dealt with all reports it has received in the proper fashion and local offices have been provided with the necessary vaccinations,” he said. The lost animals all belonged to a single owner, Khaled Al-Hamad, and he said he had been given the vaccinations to protect his other animals, some of which have fallen ill. Local livestock owners began three days ago to circulate mobile telephone messages warning each other to take the necessary precautions against the illness.
