Restrictions imposed
More than 650 livestock dead in Iraq amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture announced Tuesday that 654 buffalo and cattle have died from foot-and-mouth disease, while insisting that the mortality rate remains within acceptable limits. As a preventive measure, the ministry has imposed restrictions on animal movement.
In a statement, the ministry said infections were concentrated among unvaccinated and newborn animals, confirming that the outbreak in Baghdad was caused by foot-and-mouth disease. It added that cases in other governorates remain limited and unverified.
The ministry emphasized that technical measures—including quarantines and further limits on animal movement—are already in place. According to its figures, the current death toll stands at 654, with an infection rate of 3.9%, which officials described as being “within acceptable levels.” Additional decisions are expected soon to support livestock breeders and mitigate losses.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a severe, highly contagious viral illness that primarily strikes cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani ordered the formation of an investigative committee to examine reported cases of the disease. The group includes experts in veterinary medicine and livestock and has begun field visits to monitor animal fatalities and collect samples for testing.
“The committee has commenced its work by monitoring cases of animal fatalities and identifying their causes through field visits, collecting disease samples for foot-and-mouth disease testing, and leveraging both local and international expertise,” a statement from his media office read.
The statement continued, “The committee assures citizens that this disease affects livestock only and does not pose a risk to humans through the consumption of animal products such as meat, milk, and dairy products. It does not threaten consumer health.”
