The Animal Health Centre of the Agricultural Police has reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Al-Ajilat, western Libya. The outbreak has infected 200 sheep and led to the death of 20.
In response, the centre conducted pesticide spraying in remaining livestock enclosures to prevent the disease’s spread.
FMD, a highly contagious viral disease, affects cloven-hoofed animals, including sheep, cattle, and goats. While typically mild in adult animals, it can be fatal for younger livestock and lead to severe economic losses.
This outbreak is part of a larger crisis affecting Libya’s livestock sector. According to the National Centre for Animal Health, there have been 47 FMD outbreaks since March, with hundreds of livestock deaths reported. Villages in western Libya have seen weekly markets shut down to curb the disease’s spread.
Farmers, particularly in Misrata, have been hard-hit. Many have lost up to 70% of their herds, with some forced to cull animals to halt the infection. Salah Al-Badri, head of Misrata’s Animal Health Office, described the situation as a looming disaster, noting that milk production in the region has dropped drastically, from 70,000 litres per day to just 20,000 litres.
The current outbreak highlights the recurring threat FMD poses in Libya, where the disease resurfaces periodically in epidemic waves. Efforts to contain the outbreak are ongoing, but challenges persist due to limited resources and widespread infection.
As meat and dairy prices continue to rise, farmers and consumers alike are urging the government to take swift action to mitigate the crisis and support those affected.
