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

The highly contagious livestock disease has plagued the country for decades

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)

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

'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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

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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