Homs Launches Vaccination Campaign for 65,000 Cattle
The Directorate of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in Homs province launched its second free preventative vaccination campaign for cattle against foot-and-mouth disease for the year 2026 this Sunday. The campaign, which covers various regions across the province, is scheduled to continue until the end of September, targeting the immunization of approximately 65,000 head of cattle.
Abdul Malik Al-Masri, head of the Directorate’s Department of Animal Health and Production, stated that the necessary vaccines are available in sufficient quantities to cover the entire targeted herd in the province. He noted that the general health status of cattle in Homs is currently good, confirming that no disease outbreaks or epidemic hotspots have been recorded.
Al-Masri emphasized the importance of breeders cooperating with the campaign and taking the initiative to have their herds fully vaccinated. He explained that foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral condition that spreads rapidly among livestock. If an outbreak were to occur, it could lead to significant economic losses for both individual breeders and the agricultural sector as a whole.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Qaisi, a veterinarian and head of the guidance unit in the village of Kafraya, highlighted the safety and efficacy of the vaccines being used. He stated that the current vaccines provide coverage against five different viral strains. According to Al-Qaisi, no adverse effects or significant side effects have been reported following the administration of these vaccines. He added that specialized veterinary teams are currently conducting field visits to reach breeders and ensure that cattle of all ages are vaccinated.
This initiative is part of broader ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare for livestock in the region. On July 28, the Homs Directorate of Agriculture launched a similar extensive campaign that targeted the vaccination of approximately 500,000 sheep against foot-and-mouth disease and enterotoxemia (pulpy kidney disease). These measures are aimed at strengthening preventative healthcare, protecting the livestock population, and supporting food security within the province.
