The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has delivered 1.5 million doses of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine to Syria to support a nationwide livestock vaccination campaign aimed at containing the disease and protecting cattle herds.
The Syrian Ministry of Agriculture said the vaccines will be distributed to all provinces under a national immunization program targeting cattle, as authorities seek to strengthen prevention and control measures amid outbreaks reported in neighboring countries.
Abdel Hayi Youssef, director of Animal Health and Production at the ministry, said Syria has also allocated funding for 1 million additional vaccine doses through its national budget while continuing to work with international partners to secure regular vaccine supplies for livestock breeders.
He said all vaccine batches undergo laboratory and field safety testing before distribution and are transported in refrigerated vehicles under technical supervision to ensure they remain effective until they reach vaccination sites.
Provincial animal health departments will oversee field vaccination campaigns, while veterinary laboratories continue surveillance and early detection efforts to monitor potential outbreaks.
Youssef said the ministry would continue implementing foot-and-mouth disease control programs to protect Syria’s livestock sector and strengthen food security.
A separate vaccination campaign is also underway using 1 million vaccine doses for sheep in grazing and desert areas. Together with other planned immunization efforts, the total number of vaccine doses to be administered is expected to reach 3.5 million.
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