Egypt’s veterinary body on alert ahead of Sham El-Nessim celebrations

CAIRO - 6 April 2018: Egypt’s General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS), which is affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture, raised a state of alert for any possible “contaminated” meat or fish ahead of Sham El-Nessim celebration.

The GOVS chairperson Ibrahim Mahrous directed all the organization’s branches to conduct inspection campaigns for fish and meat selling shops nationwide, particularly amid the over-supply of salted fish in the markets for Sham El-Nessim celebration on Monday, the organization said in a statement on Friday.

Sham El-Nessim is an Egyptian public holiday marking the beginning of Spring and comes after the Easter.

According to the GOVS instructions, the managing directors of branches should cooperate with the Supply Police in monitoring and conducting their inspection. All vacations for vets and employees, particularly those who inspect the slaughtering houses, were cancelled.

All emergency rooms of the GOVS were prepared for any possible complaints from contaminated or uneatable meat and fish.

During Sham El-Nessim, Egyptians usually eat slated fish, onions, and bread for lunch, and colored eggs for breakfast. They prefer to celebrate the day at national parks and go on Nile cruises.