01.07.2025 12:50
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's General Directorate of Food and Control sent an urgent letter to the provincial directorates in all 81 provinces. Due to an increase in foot-and-mouth disease, it was requested that all livestock markets be closed.
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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's General Directorate of Food and Control has announced through a letter sent to the provincial directorates of agriculture and forestry in 81 provinces that all animal markets across the country are closed until further notice.
MAJOR INCREASE IN FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
In the urgent letter sent by the General Directorate to the provincial directorates, it was stated that due to the Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice), there has been intense circulation of animal movements across the country, and an increase in the amounts of foot-and-mouth disease, which is one of the epidemic diseases, has been observed.
It was reported that quarantine measures have been taken for the identified amounts of foot-and-mouth disease, samples have been collected from sick animals, animal movements have been restricted, and training and field exercises have been conducted to raise awareness. The statement noted: "Genetic/antigenic changes have been detected in the viruses of the foot-and-mouth disease agent in the samples taken from sick animals."
VACCINE PRODUCTION COMPLETED BUT...
The production of protective vaccines against these newly emerging virus types has been completed and has begun to be used in the field. However, it does not seem possible to vaccinate all susceptible species of cloven-hoofed animals in a short time.
WILL NOT REOPEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
It is well known by the public that restricting animal movements in risky areas is a more effective method than vaccination. In this context, due to the high risk of disease spread caused by the intense movement of animals and visitors in animal sales places (animal markets, live animal exchanges, animal collection and sales centers, parks, and fairs), I kindly request that all animal sales places operating in your province be urgently closed until further notice.
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