The Lebanese Agriculture Ministry has issued a warning about the risks of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak spreading in the country’s farms, following the detection of cases in several countries in the region.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral ailment that mainly affects cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and other animals. Humans are rarely infected, but an outbreak in any given country can have a significant economic impact on the agricultural sector due to reduced farm productivity and high mortality rates among affected animals.

In a statement, the ministry mentioned “alarming epidemiological developments in the region,” with cases detected in several neighboring countries. The various indicators analyzed by the ministry suggest an “increased likelihood of transmission to Lebanese territory.” It therefore urged farmers to take urgent measures “to protect their herds and help prevent the disease from spreading within Lebanese territory,” including stricter control of farm entries and exits with regular disinfection and sterilization.

The ministry also emphasizes the importance of avoiding contact between animals from different operations, particularly in border areas, and immunizing livestock against the disease “using approved vaccines.”