Lebanon Mobilizes Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak
Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture is actively combating a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across several regions, implementing rigorous scientific protocols and bolstering national preparedness in coordination with international partners. The swift response aims to contain the highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals and safeguard national food security.
The Ministry has been diligently implementing scientific epidemiological investigation procedures and monitoring the health status of livestock, adhering to both national and international standards for cross-border disease control. According to a statement released by the Ministry, these efforts are crucial for both monitoring and combating the spread of FMD.
To enhance the response, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Nizar Hani, recently led a series of coordination meetings with donors and international partners focused on the animal health sector. The goal of these meetings was to secure vital technical and logistical support and ensure a rapid and effective response to any evolving situation on the ground.
A central emergency committee, described as a “crisis cell,” has been established to oversee the response. This committee includes representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, the Lebanese Veterinarians Syndicate, livestock breeders, and specialized experts from the Ministry itself. The committee is working in close collaboration with security forces, unions, municipalities, and other relevant authorities to ensure a coordinated and swift response, applying both preventive measures and necessary scientific procedures to contain potential hotspots.
On-the-ground efforts are already underway, with specialized technical teams conducting comprehensive field tours. These teams, particularly those from the Livestock Department in the Akkar Agriculture Department, are collecting clinical and laboratory samples from suspected cases, utilizing precise scientific procedures for early monitoring and infection control.
The outbreak has been particularly concerning in the Bekaa region, where infections were initially reported among cows. The Department of Livestock in the Bekaa Agriculture Department immediately initiated urgent action, sending samples to the Al-Fanar Laboratory. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the SAT1 strain of the virus. Subsequent investigations revealed the disease’s spread to herds of cows, sheep, and goats in several areas of the Bekaa Valley, including Gaza, Al-Marj, Qab Elias, and Saadnayel, with some herds experiencing near-complete infection rates.
The Department of Livestock in the Bekaa is continuing to monitor the epidemiological situation, completing investigation forms in collaboration with agricultural centers and collecting additional samples as needed. Under the direction of Minister Hani, specialized teams are assessing the damage through direct contact with breeders and on-site visits. Protective clothing and leg covers have been provided to centers in Haret Al-Fikani, Gaza, and Barelias to ensure the safety of technical teams and adherence to occupational safety standards.
In parallel with these reactive measures, the Ministry is also proactively carrying out preventive seasonal vaccination campaigns, aligning with approved plans to limit disease spread and bolster herd immunity.
The Ministry emphasized that these procedures are integral to the national animal health surveillance system, with samples sent to the Animal Health Laboratory in the Agricultural Scientific Research Department for advanced analysis. These analyses will confirm or deny infection and accurately determine the epidemiological situation.
A senior official stated that foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting animals with cloven hooves, transmitted through direct contact, contaminated tools, or the movement of infected animals. Importantly, the Ministry stressed that the disease poses no threat to human health and does not compromise the safety of meat or milk products.
Livestock breeders are urged to strictly adhere to biosecurity procedures, including isolating suspected cases, sterilizing barns and equipment, limiting animal movement between regions, and fully cooperating with technical teams until laboratory tests are complete and appropriate measures are implemented.
The Ministry concluded by reaffirming its commitment to closely monitoring the epidemiological situation both in the field and in the laboratory, and to taking all necessary scientific and preventive measures to protect livestock and maintain national food security.
