بازگشت تب برفکی با چهره‌ای جدید

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), recognized as one of the most significant and economically costly viral diseases affecting cloven-hoofed animals, has once again become a major concern for the national veterinary system and the livestock production sector during the current autumn season. According to official reports and data published by reputable news outlets and specialized sources, the recent outbreak has directly affected livestock holdings in several provinces, including Tehran, Qazvin, and Alborz, and, due to the distinctive epidemiological characteristics of the virus, the risk of further spread to other regions remains substantial. Foot-and-mouth disease is a purely viral and highly contagious disease with an exceptionally high transmission capacity, such that it can disseminate over a wide geographical radius within only a few hours; consequently, in the absence of effective control measures, transmission from a single village to multiple provinces within a short period of time is entirely plausible. This rapid rate of spread poses serious challenges to disease control and necessitates prompt and effective preventive interventions. In the most recent wave of the outbreak, the identification of the SAT1 serotype for the first time in Iran has heightened concern among relevant authorities, as this strain differs from previously circulating serotypes and may compromise herd immunity as well as the effectiveness of existing vaccination programs. The consequences of this situation are not limited to animal health aspects but also entail considerable economic losses for livestock producers, including reductions in milk and meat production, decreased productivity, increased costs associated with prevention and control measures, and the intensification of economic pressures on livestock production units. Despite the implementation of control measures, movement restrictions, and efforts to contain infected foci, the risk of infection persists in many herds, thereby exacerbating concerns among farmers and stakeholders in the livestock sector. Taken together, these observations indicate that, under current conditions, foot-and-mouth disease requires immediate attention, the strengthening of preventive requirements, a reassessment of control and vaccination strategies, and strong coordination among responsible institutions, as any delay in managing this crisis may result in broader and more severe economic and public animal health consequences for the country’s livestock industry.