Iraq (03): livestock, spread, fatal, Request for information

Date: Wed 19 Feb 2025
Source: Al Araby [in Arabic, machine trans., abridged, edited]
https://urls.fr/Inx8pT


Foot-and-mouth disease threatens Iraq again: alarming numbers of livestock deaths
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Iraq has once again recorded the deaths of hundreds of livestock due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), amid growing warnings about the severity of the outbreak and the inability to control it. Criticism is mounting over the weak measures taken to prevent its spread. The disease has not been confined to a single province but has been reported in areas of Baghdad, Babil, Basra, Diyala, Nineveh, Kirkuk, Wasit, and other regions.

On Tuesday [18 Feb 2025], Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the outbreak. The committee includes experts in veterinary medicine and animal health. According to a statement from the prime minister's office, the committee has begun its work by monitoring cases of livestock deaths and identifying the causes through field visits, collecting samples of suspected FMD cases, and utilizing both local and international expertise. It is coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to test the samples in global reference laboratories.

Al-Sudani also instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to assess and document the damages and monitor the outbreak's occurrence and progression. The committee reassured the public that FMD affects livestock but does not pose a risk to humans through the consumption of animal products such as meat, milk, and dairy products.

Alarming livestock mortality
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The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has established an operations room to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), stating that infections are primarily affecting unvaccinated animals and newborn livestock. The ministry outlined technical and professional measures, including quarantine enforcement and restrictions on animal movement. Initial reports indicate 654 livestock deaths. The ministry noted that the current infection rate stands at 3.9%, which it considers within acceptable limits, and promised imminent decisions to support and mitigate losses for livestock farmers.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Parliament's Agriculture Committee confirmed that the disease remains uncontrolled, spreading across multiple provinces, including Baghdad. Committee member Thaer Al-Jubouri stated in a press interview: "As of now, there is no control over the FMD outbreak, which has spread across vast areas of the country, particularly in the Rusafa district of Baghdad. This has led to significant livestock losses, especially among buffalo herders, causing severe financial damage."

He further criticized the Veterinary Directorate's slow response, stating: "Our follow-up revealed that the Veterinary Directorate was significantly delayed in taking proactive measures to prevent such outbreaks, which directly impact the country's livestock sector."

He pointed out that the outbreak has been recorded in several provinces, but the Rusafa district in Baghdad has been the hardest hit, particularly with the mass deaths of buffalo herds. This, he warned, will have a severe economic impact on dozens, if not thousands, of families who rely on livestock and buffalo farming as their primary source of income.

He added: "We are working to propose compensation for farmers affected by the FMD outbreak. However, the country's financial situation does not support this approach, and the Ministry of Agriculture's budget cannot cover large compensations, especially given the high mortality rates. Nonetheless, we hope this initiative will receive support in the future."

Difficulty in providing sufficient FMD vaccines
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Veterinarian Bilal Al-Hamdani confirmed that Iraq's preparedness to combat foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is weak. Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, he stated:

"FMD is extremely dangerous and is currently widespread in most provinces, with thousands of infections reported. The Ministry of Agriculture has not imported enough vaccines to control the disease, especially since these vaccines are expensive. This means we will face significant challenges in containing the outbreak."

He emphasized that the disease has been neglected over the past 2 years, despite previous large outbreaks, and stressed the need for a long-term strategy that includes ensuring the availability of treatments, continuous field testing, and restricting livestock movement between provinces without official authorization. He urged the authorities to take full responsibility in addressing this serious disease and implementing effective control measures.

[Byline: Safa Al Kabissi]

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