Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination Campaign Launched in Kars

September 29, 2026 · Tarım TV

In Kars, one of Turkey's key livestock centers, a fall vaccination and health screening program against foot-and-mouth disease is underway with a dedicated team of 100 expert veterinarians.

A comprehensive vaccination program against foot-and-mouth disease has been launched in Kars, one of Turkey's most significant livestock hubs, with the arrival of the autumn season. This intensive vaccination schedule, implemented to prevent contagious and zoonotic diseases, ensures the complete protection of the region's animal population. The teams working tirelessly in the field aim to secure both local production and the national red meat and milk supply chain by preventing contagious risks at their source.

A team of 100 expert vaccinators, formed under the Kars Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, is conducting its work by visiting villages, plateaus, and pastures, starting with the city center. Despite challenging terrain and variable weather conditions, the veterinarians and health personnel on duty are individually vaccinating and registering cattle. Thanks to the teams' efforts, not only animals in barns but also herds grazing in vast pastures and open fields have full access to preventative healthcare services.

Kars Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Enver Aydın, highlighted the province's high potential and traditional breeding methods, stating:

Kars Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Enver Aydın, shared information about the biological risks associated with animal mobility and the vaccination doses administered:

Within the scope of planned efforts conducted despite challenging natural conditions, the vaccination performance of 3 million doses administered throughout 2025 continued without slowing down in the first 9 months of this year. According to the records of the Kars Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, the teams administered over 1.87 million vaccine doses in the first 9 months of this year. Thanks to regular vaccinations, herd immunity has been maximized, and the spread of the foot-and-mouth virus is effectively limited.

Kars Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Enver Aydın, stated that controls are ongoing at livestock markets and collection points, noting:

Erbay Yılmaz, a livestock farmer from Selim Karahamza Village, expressed his satisfaction with the continuous vaccination efforts and described the support on the ground:

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