Description
Türkiye has made substantial progress in rabies control in recent years through sustained vaccination, surveillance, and coordinated control efforts, in line with the global ‘Zero by 30’ strategy. Both dog- and fox-mediated rabies have been successfully reduced across large parts of the country. However, residual rabies foci persist in eastern and southeastern Türkiye, where epidemiological diversity and logistical challenges remain.
To address these remaining hotspots, Türkiye has implemented an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programme targeting not only foxes but also dogs in selected areas—the latter being an innovative approach consistent with international guidance on oral rabies vaccination of dogs developed by FAO, WHO and WOAH, and with recommendations of the United Against Rabies Forum for reaching hard-to-access dog populations. In autumn 2025, 2.5 million fox baits were distributed by aerial baiting across approximately 130,000 km² in eastern Türkiye. Additionally, approximately 60,000 oral rabies vaccine baits were offered to dogs across 13 provinces in eastern Türkiye, representing the largest field trial of oral dog vaccination worldwide to date.
Türkiye’s large-scale ORV programme demonstrates how innovative, targeted vaccination strategies, aligned with ‘Zero by 30’ and UAR Forum priorities, can strengthen national rabies control programmes and accelerate progress towards the elimination of dog-mediated rabies – the central goal of ‘Zero by 30’ – while also addressing wildlife reservoirs.
Photo credit: ©Ceva Santé Animale