HERAT — A sharp increase in livestock diseases has raised concerns among cattle farmers in Herat Province, where veterinary officials and farm workers say the lack of vaccines and quality medication is driving avoidable losses.
At one of the province’s largest cattle farms, which houses more than 100 cows and employs about 10 workers, farm managers report losing up to 25 animals each year due to disease outbreaks.
“The lack of vaccines and proper veterinary drugs is one of our biggest challenges,” said Seyed Ahmad Rahmani, the farm’s manager. “We lose 20 to 25 cows annually.”
Farm employee Ali Ahmad added that over recent weeks, the incidence of animal illness has risen markedly, with losses becoming more frequent and harder to contain.
Veterinarians in Herat say the most common diseases affecting livestock in the region are both viral and bacterial, including PPR (peste des petits ruminants), enterotoxemia, pox, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
“These diseases are highly infectious and often fatal if not managed properly,” said Naveed Seir, a veterinary public health specialist in Herat.
Veterinary doctors are urging farmers to prioritize preventive care, especially vaccination — a practice they say is still widely neglected across Afghanistan’s livestock sector.
“Our recommendation to urban pet owners and rural farmers alike is to focus on vaccination and proper farm management,” said Mohammad Maroof Karimi, a veterinary physician in Herat. “Prevention is the best tool we have.”
Livestock disease has long posed a challenge to Afghan farmers, though officials and experts note that central governments have historically underinvested in animal health programs, leaving rural producers vulnerable to recurring outbreaks.
As local veterinarians warn of escalating infections, farmers are calling for greater support and international assistance to bolster veterinary services and ensure access to reliable vaccines and medicines.
