Abstract
Transboundary movement of animals is an important mechanism for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) spread in endemic regions, such as Cameroon. Several transboundary animal trade routes cross the Far North Region of Cameroon, and cattle moved on foot along these routes often come in contact with native (sedentary and transhumant) herds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of transboundary trade cattle in the epidemiology of FMDV in the Far North Region of Cameroon. A total of 582 oropharyngeal fluid (OPF) samples were collected from asymptomatic transboundary trade cattle at official border check points and 57 vesicle epithelial tissues were collected from clinically affected native cattle in the Far North Region of Cameroon during 2010–2014. Viral protein 1 (VP1) coding sequences were obtained from 6 OPF samples from transboundary cattle (4 serotype O, 2 serotype SAT2) and 19 epithelial tissue samples from native cattle (7 serotype O, 3 serotype SAT2, 9 serotype A). FMDV serotype O viruses belonged to two topotypes (East Africa-3 and West Africa), and phylogenetic analyses suggested a pattern of continuous transmission in the region. Serotype SAT2 viruses belonged to a single topotype (VII), and phylogenetic analysis suggested a pattern of repeated introductions of different SAT2 lineages in the region. Serotype A viruses belonged to topotype AFRICA/G-IV, and the pattern of transmission was unclear. Spearman rank correlation analysis of VP1 coding sequences obtained in this study from transboundary and native cattle showed a positive correlation between genetic distance and time for serotype O (ρ = 0.71, p = 0.003) and between genetic distance and geographic distance for serotype SAT2 (ρ = 0.54, p = 0.1). These data suggest that transboundary trade cattle participate in the transmission of FMDV in the Far North Region of Cameroon, however the dynamics and direction of transmission could not be determined in this study. Results of this study contribute to the understanding of transboundary FMDV epidemiology in Central Africa and will help to inform control programs in Cameroon and in the region.
Highlights
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV; Aphthovirus, Picornaviridae) causes foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), one of the most economically important diseases of livestock worldwide [1]
In order to analyze the patterns of spread of the viruses detected in transboundary trade and native cattle, we examined the relationship between the evolutionary divergence based on complete nucleotide sequences of Viral protein 1 (VP1) and the geographic and temporal distance among FMDV isolates within serotypes
Transboundary trade cattle movement data from official government records of cattle herds passing through border check points were available for 3,273 herds for the period January 2008 to December 2013, with varying consistency for each of four check points: Kousseri, Guirvidig, Pétté, and Yagoua (Figure 1)
Summary
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV; Aphthovirus, Picornaviridae) causes foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), one of the most economically important diseases of livestock worldwide [1]. High morbidity of the disease results in economic losses in endemic countries due to decreased production, regional quarantine practices, and trade restrictions [4]. Pools, have been described, wherein countries within each pool share similar FMD viruses [7,8,9]. Antigenic variation within a serotype necessitates that vaccines must be carefully matched to outbreak strains to ensure efficacy [10]. For this reason, effective control of the disease is dependent on the ability to identify regional transmission patterns and predict which vaccine strains will protect the livestock population
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
