Villages in western Libya are gripped by fear as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) spreads, leading to the closure of several weekly markets, according to the AFP.
The National Centre for Animal Health has reported 47 outbreaks since March, with hundreds of livestock deaths. FMD, an endemic disease in Libya, resurfaces periodically in epidemic waves.
At Nagm Eldeen Tantoon’s farm near Misrata, a once-bustling stable now lies eerily silent. The farm has lost a significant portion of its cattle due to the disease. Tantoon, a 27-year-old livestock farmer, has seen his herd shrink dramatically. “Out of 742 cows, 300 have died. This disease has destroyed our livelihood,” he laments. He adds, “Every day, we find another cow lying down, and it won’t be long before it dies from the fever.”
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. While usually mild in adult animals, it can be deadly for younger livestock. In some cases, culling is the only option to prevent further spread.
The outbreak was first detected in eastern Libya in March, gradually spreading westwards. In Misrata, small farms have been hit hardest, with some farmers losing up to 70% of their herds.
Salah Al-Badri, head of Misrata’s Animal Health Office, warns, “We are heading towards a disaster.” He explains that most of the cattle in Misrata are now infected, leaving no choice but to cull them to stop the disease.
Consumers are also feeling the effects, with rising meat and dairy prices as supply dwindles. Milk production in the Misrata region has plummeted from 70,000 litres per day to just 20,000 litres.
