Foot-and-mouth strain hits Iraq's buffalo herd, threatening livelihoods — in pictures

The highly contagious livestock disease has plagued the country for decades

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  Iraqi farmer Saadoun Roumi, who has lost five of his 15 buffaloes to foot-and-mouth variant despite vaccinating his entire herd, stands at his farm in the village of Badush, northwest of the city of Mosul, on February 7, 2023. - The severe, highly contagious livestock disease has plagued Iraq for decades, but this year's outbreak has already had a devastating impact described as unprecedented by veterinarians in Nineveh province. This strain -- never before recorded in Iraq -- is resistant to the vaccines normally used in the country, leaving authorities scrambling to obtain the right doses to inoculate livestock and prevent further spread. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)

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  This SAT2 variant strain is resistant to the vaccines, leaving authorities scrambling to prevent further spread

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  'Every day, there are between 20 and 25 cases in the village', said Roumi, 26, from his farm in the village of Badush near Mosul

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  Roumi's buffaloes were vaccinated against the disease as part of a campaign by authorities in 2021. 'The administered vaccines aren't effective', he said

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  Between the outbreak and the exorbitant prices of fodder, Roumi like other farmers has seen his only source of livelihood pushed to the brink

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  Though the disease does not pose a threat to humans, it is highly contagious among 'cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, swine and other cloven-hoofed', the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said

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  'Infections are high and can be counted in the hundreds' in the province, said Udai Al Abadi, the director of a veterinary hospital in Nineveh

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  Urgent requests for vaccines have been sent to the government in Baghdad, Mr Al Abadi said

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  Authorities have launched disinfection campaigns and imposed restrictions on the movement of livestock

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  The strain was not previously present in Iraq and therefore the corresponding vaccine had never been used there, a FAO official said

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