Iraqi officials seek to calm fears over human transmission of foot and mouth disease

BAGHDAD — Health and agriculture officials have emphasized that while the latest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is taking a toll on Iraq’s livestock, the risk to humans remains negligible.

Riyadh Abdul-Amir, director of the Public Health Department, noted that foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects animals. “This disease affects animals, causing fever, loss of appetite, and blisters on the tongue, nose, and between the hooves. In some cases, it can lead to the death of livestock,” he told the state news agency. He added that human cases are exceptionally rare, citing only “one or two” mild cases ever recorded.

In Iraq, the Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed 3,000 cases of infection and 654 deaths among buffalo and cattle—mainly unvaccinated and newborn animals—with the highest concentration in the Baghdad governorate. Earlier, Agriculture Minister Abbas Al-Ulaywi assured the public that the disease cannot be transmitted to humans through animal products.

Abdul-Amir urged livestock farmers and animal husbandry workers to follow precautions. “The Ministry of Health advises avoiding direct contact with animals, whether sick or healthy, unless proper protective measures are taken, including wearing adequate safety gear,” he said. Reassuring the public, he added, “Foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a threat to humans. There is no danger in consuming cooked meat or heat-treated dairy products.”

Veterinary teams under the Ministry of Agriculture have been commended for their efforts to contain the outbreak. Abdul-Amir called on authorities to “intensify campaigns and actions to eliminate it completely.”

Meanwhile, the Veterinary Hospital of Nineveh hosted an awareness session Wednesday for local livestock owners, focusing on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of the disease. Officials at the session reassured attendees that the outbreak in the governorate remains limited, with minimal losses, and that most infected animals are recovering.