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The recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Europe and the introduction of an exotic virus strain into the Near East underscore the urgent need for early detection and enhanced biosecurity measures to minimize the impacts of the disease, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
FAO is recommending urgent biosecurity measures and enhanced surveillance following the recent detection of FMD serotype SAT1 in Iraq and Bahrain. This serotype is exotic to the Near East and West Eurasia regions, raising serious concerns about the potential spread of the virus. The most important and immediate risks for FMD virus spread are associated with animal movements. Other countries in the Near East and West Eurasia regions are at a high risk of being affected.
Recently, the FMD virus was detected in Europe, which is normally free of the disease and is now experiencing its worst outbreak since 2001. Germany detected an outbreak in January 2025 but has since been declared free of the disease. However, a separate incursion into Hungary a month later, with subsequent outbreaks in Slovakia, has persisted.
FAO urges countries to increase awareness, strengthen biosecurity, and improve preparedness at all levels to safeguard livestock and livelihoods.
May 7, 2025/ FAO.
https://www.fao.org
