Tehran - Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been brought under control, with a nationwide free vaccination campaign for both small and large livestock set to begin in January, the head of Iran’s Veterinary Organization (IVO) announced.

 

Alireza Rafieipour said the disease was first detected three months ago at a primary outbreak site in Tehran.

 

“Immediate preventive measures were implemented in neighboring provinces to prevent further spread,” he added.

 

The senior official explained that treatment, hygiene, and quarantine protocols were enforced in concentric zones from zero to one kilometer, one to three kilometers, and three to ten kilometers around the outbreak site, covering the provinces of Semnan, Qom, Qazvin, and Alborz.

 

“After three months, we have successfully controlled a new and dangerous FMD strain in livestock, and monitoring continues,” Rafieipour added.

 

“The Veterinary Organization has imported eight million doses of FMD vaccine. Starting in January, the free vaccination program will cover 70 million livestock nationwide.”

 

Rafieipour also highlighted Iran’s network of 200 epidemiological sites for livestock and poultry, which monitor emerging and high-risk diseases. “Using these facilities, the new FMD strain was identified and containment measures implemented in under three days, setting a benchmark in global livestock disease management.”