Turkey shuts down animal markets amid FMD outbreak

In response to a growing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Turkish authorities have temporarily closed all animal sales locations across the country, including livestock markets, fairs, and animal exchanges.

The decision, announced by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, aims to contain the spread of a newly identified serotype of the disease, known as SAT1, which emerged after increased animal movement during the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Minister Yumaklı shared with EN.Haberler.com that the closure is a preventive measure, stating, “There is no risk in the consumption of red meat, and it can be consumed safely.” He assured the public that food supply remains secure and that meat and dairy products continue to be safe for consumption.

While vaccination efforts had significantly reduced foot-and-mouth disease cases — by 80 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year — the new SAT1 strain has prompted intensified vaccination campaigns and stricter controls on animal movement.

Yumaklı said that the ministry’s relevant departments quickly developed an effective vaccine for the new serotype, which is now being administered in the field. He added that restricting animal movement remains one of the most effective ways to stop the disease from spreading.

The highly contagious viral disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Although not typically fatal, it leads to significant economic losses due to reduced milk production, weight loss, and restricted trade.

Yumaklı explained that scientific assessments show a high risk of disease transmission through direct contact at animal sales sites. As a result, he emphasized that limiting animal movement in affected areas is crucial for protecting both local and national livestock health.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is working around the clock with veterinary health personnel and field teams to manage the outbreak. Yumaklı stressed that the closures are temporary and will be lifted gradually as the livestock population is vaccinated and the situation stabilizes.

“We are determined to eliminate threats to animal health and public health in cooperation with all our stakeholders,” he said, encouraging citizens to rely on official guidance and thanking them for their cooperation.

Despite the outbreak, officials reaffirm that foot-and-mouth disease poses no threat to human health. It rarely transmits to humans and, when it does, only causes mild symptoms. Yumaklı concluded, “There is no expectation of any disruption in the supply of animal food, especially meat and dairy products.”

With intensified vaccinations underway and markets closed to prevent further transmission, Turkish authorities aim to curb the outbreak quickly and restore normalcy to the livestock sector.