The foci of foot and mouth disease in West Azerbaijan decreased by 50%

Urmia - West Azarbaijan Veterinary Director General said: Foot and mouth disease centers in the province have decreased by 50% despite the border with three countries and having a common border of 967 kilometers.

Referring to the livestock breeding capacity of West Azerbaijan, according to the report of Ambassador Arjan Siamak, Qabi said: Currently, there are about five million light and heavy livestock in the province, and West Azerbaijan is considered one of the important hubs of livestock breeding in the country.

Pointing to the importance of livestock disease control, he added: due to the province's geographical location and its border with three countries, health care and the control of the entry and exit of livestock are of particular importance. In this regard, the province's veterinary department follows monitoring and control measures through 6 livestock quarantines in different areas, including Saru Urmia, Kile Sardasht, Bazargan, Razi and Kozeresh.

Director General of Veterinary Medicine of West Azerbaijan continued referring to the measures taken in the field of animal disease prevention: during the first 6 months of this year, 17 million rounds of animal vaccination against various diseases including foot and mouth disease and brucellosis have been carried out, which plays an important role in maintaining the health of animals, reducing economic losses and sustaining production.

Also, referring to the position of West Azerbaijan in the country's poultry industry, Ghabi said: the province has a significant capacity in the poultry production chain, and with the operation of about 900 meat poultry units, it provides an important part of the country's need for protein products; In such a way that about 30% of the production of the province is allocated to other provinces.

Referring to the vaccine production capacity in the province, he added: "Ronak vaccine factory in Mahabad operates in the field of foot and mouth vaccine production, and in addition to meeting the province's needs, it also covers part of the vaccine needs of other provinces of the country."

The General Director of Veterinary Medicine of West Azerbaijan emphasized the strategic role of veterinary medicine in the health of society and noted: Veterinary medicine is at the junction of public health, food security and economy, and the actions of this group in the field of prevention and control of animal diseases, monitoring of raw animal products and supporting production play an important role in realizing sustainable development.

The ability to carry out vaccination for 16 thousand 786 dog collars, vaccination against rabies disease, monitoring the slaughter of 21 million slaughtered poultry and supervising the slaughter of 55 thousand 188 light livestock slaughtered in the first half of this year are among the other actions of this general administration.