Brussels, 27/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has sent 2.5 million doses of trivalent vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to Turkey, to help control an outbreak of FMD in bovine animals in the region of Thrace. The vaccines contain all three antigens required for the spring vaccination campaign in Thrace. In early February, despite reported vaccination of over 90% of the bovine population in this area against the disease last autumn, the outbreak has been confirmed. Following a visit by experts from the FAO, it was confirmed that the outbreak had been caused by a re-emerging strain of the FMD virus, against which vaccination was stopped many years ago. The vaccines sent by the Commission are due to arrive in Turkey on Monday, and vaccination will begin immediately. The vaccination campaign will be closely followed by EUFMD experts on the ground.