Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak hits Mozambique cattle

Mozambique has imposed restrictions on the movement of livestock in Moamba district, Maputo province, after an outbreak of foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD). The highly contagious disease affects hoofed animals and can cause significant economic losses because it limits animal movement.

Paulo Cossa, Maputo Provincial Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, announced that the movement of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs in Moamba is now prohibited. “We have recorded an outbreak of foot‑and‑mouth disease in the Sábie administrative post,” he said. “We have isolated the area and started taking restrictive measures to prevent the disease from spreading to other regions.” Consequently, the transport of animals for breeding or sale within the district is forbidden, and authorities are testing suspected cases to control the spread.

In 2023 the government struggled to secure funds for more than one million doses of FMD vaccine, aiming to complete nationwide immunisation of cattle. Most of the vaccines were allocated to provinces experiencing active outbreaks, including Maputo, Gaza, Manica, Tete and Niassa.

FMD is regarded as one of the most serious livestock diseases because of its rapid transmission and the resulting economic impact from movement restrictions on animals and their products. The swift response in Moamba—restricting animal movement and testing suspected cases—is essential to contain the outbreak. Ongoing vigilance and proactive measures will be crucial for the government to protect Mozambique’s livestock industry and avoid further economic losses.