Foot and mouth disease outbreak grips Waziristan

WANA: The Lower South Waziristan has reported the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, sparking alarm among residents, health professionals, and local officials.

The outbreak, which has taken hold in multiple tehsils including Toi Khulla, Zarmelan, Birmal, Wana, and Shakai, is rapidly spiraling out of control, with over a dozen livestock deaths already reported and hundreds more animals were reported to have fallen ill. Sources said that for the past year, no vaccination drives was conducted in the region. Veterinary hospitals remain ill-equipped and understocked, with a critical shortage of medicines. The absence of timely funding from both federal and provincial governments has left these facilities unable to respond to the crisis effectively, leaving local veterinary staff helpless.