Foot-and-mouth disease attributed to serotype A in sheep flocksof Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

The present study investigates the suspected FMD outbreak in sheep flock in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory of India during May 2021. Swab materials, saliva and serum samples from symptomatic and in-contact apparently healthy animals were collected. A total of 13, 41 and 15 serum samples from Beerwah Budgam, Poshnar sheep farm, and Gundipora/Shalkani Budgam and Dara Srinagar, respectively were collected. Also 360 serum samples were collected from the districts of Pulwama, Ananthnag, Shopian, Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora. The serum samples were subjected to the in-house indirect 3AB3 NSP ELISA, while the swab and saliva samples were processed and subjected to serotyping ELISA and multiplex RT-PCR. One sample from Gundipora/Shalkani Budgam and Dara Srinagar was found positive for FMDV serotype A in multiplex RT-PCR. FMD virus serotype A was last documented in Jammu and Kashmir pretty long years ago. In NSP serology, 53.8%, 26.8% and 33.3% serum samples from Beerwah Budgam, Poshnar farm and Gundipora/Shalkani Budgam and Dara Srinagar, respectively were found positive for 3AB NSP antibodies of FMDV. Further, 119 out of 360 (32.5%) serum samples collected from affected flock of different districts were also found positive for 3AB NSP antibodies suggesting a high level of virus circulation. Introduction of infected animals and intermixing of animals while sharing common pasture land followed by the unrestricted movement of diseased/ subclinically infected animals might have been the probable reason behind the origin and spread of the outbreak.