Libya extends livestock trade bans to contain foot-and-mouth disease spread

Libyan authorities have reaffirmed nationwide restrictions on animal markets and livestock movement in response to rising foot-and-mouth disease cases, aiming to prevent an epidemic across the country.

Libya has renewed nationwide curbs on livestock trading, telling municipal agriculture co-ordinators to keep animal markets shut and restrict movement between areas as officials try to contain foot-and-mouth disease. The circular, issued in Tripoli on 6 September, orders enforcement with the agricultural police and municipal guards; separate reports from The Libya Observer and Al Mada on 7 September indicate the directive is being treated as continuing national policy rather than a local stop-gap.

The latest order prolongs a response that, according to Libya Herald, has been in place since cases were identified across eastern and western Libya on 27 June. Measures have included blocking livestock transport into Greater Tripoli, inspecting sheds and markets, sealing infected farms and disinfecting animal enclosures. Earlier local closures reached Tarhuna, Qasr al-Akhyar, Sirte, Seloq and Qiminis; in the eastern towns, the Libyan News Agency said later movement was limited to animals for slaughter under veterinary supervision.

Al Wasat said official data now point to 20 outbreak foci in eastern Libya, with the disease also reported in scattered western and southern areas. Hatem Al-Maslati of the National Centre for Animal Health said cases had risen in several districts but the disease remained under control and had not become an epidemic. Earlier agency data for 26 June to 15 July recorded infections in six eastern municipalities, including 5,343 sheep and 212 cattle.