FMD crisis hits Kuwait with over 8,000 cows affected and milk output dwindling

KUWAIT – A severe outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Kuwait has affected more than 8,000 dairy cows, triggering a sharp 75% decline in fresh milk production.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease marked by fever, blisters in the mouth and on the feet, and lameness in affected livestock.

While adult animals rarely die from the disease, young animals can succumb to sudden heart failure.

According to Kuwait’s Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, daily milk output has plummeted from 250,000 litres to just 100,000 litres.

This dramatic drop in production, estimated at 20 to 30%, has created a supply-demand imbalance, placing substantial financial strain on dairy producers.

Salem Al Hai, Director General of the Authority, reported that 31 of Kuwait’s 44 cow farms have confirmed FMD cases. Of the affected livestock, 952 cows have recovered, while 71 have died.

At the same time, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has received formal complaints from dairy companies citing a 30 to 40% increase in operational costs.

The supply shortfall is also disrupting the government’s ration card system, with companies calling for financial compensation to cover losses linked to rising production costs and shrinking profit margins.

In response, Minister of Commerce Khalifa Al-Ajeel stressed that no solution should involve increasing the retail price of fresh milk—either on store shelves or through government distribution channels.

He described the situation as temporary and not grounds for a permanent change in consumer pricing.

FMD spreads to South Africa

Meanwhile, South Africa is facing its own FMD crisis, with outbreaks reported in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape. The situation has raised alarms across the country’s dairy sector, prompting urgent calls for enhanced biosecurity.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), KZN has recorded 165 FMD outbreaks, 147 of which remain active. The Eastern Cape has reported 40 cases, with 39 still unresolved.

These regions represent major dairy hubs—home to nearly two-thirds of South Africa’s milk-producing cattle—and the outbreaks threaten serious economic repercussions.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) notes that FMD has affected dairy herds in several other countries. Germany reported a case earlier this year but has since been declared FMD-free. However, ongoing outbreaks persist in Hungary and Slovakia.

FMD is endemic to the Near East, but the current surge has been linked to an exotic serotype believed to have originated in East Africa. New cases have been recorded in Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait, and other nearby countries remain at high risk.

With numerous FMD strains still circulating globally, the recent outbreaks underscore the continued threat the disease poses to livestock health, food security, and international trade.

The FAO urges all governments to remain vigilant and recommends awareness campaigns for farmers, along with strict biosecurity protocols.

These include isolating sick animals, professional veterinary examinations, regular vaccination checks, and active implementation of contingency plans.

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