Spatial and seasonal patterns of FMD primary outbreaks in cattle in Zimbabwe between 1931 and 2016

Transmission of foot and mouth disease at the wildlife/livestock interface of the Kruger National Park, South Africa: Can the risk be mitigated?

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an endemic transboundary disease in the Mekong region, and FMD records of reports to animal health authorities in Lao PDR between 2009 and 2011 were reviewed. FMD outbreaks occurred in 2 of 3 years in eight districts in three of the eight northern Lao PDR provinces, locations suggested as FMD 'hotspots'. The relatively higher risk of recurrence of FMD in these districts was likely due to the presence of a dense large ruminant population, extensive animal trading including transboundary movements and ineffective animal movement controls. As an understanding of the epidemiology of FMD in these 'hotspots' may offer insights into improved FMD control in the region, a study of an outbreak of FMD occurring in early 2010 following failure to vaccinate was conducted in the endemic 'hotspot' area of Paek district in Xiengkhoung province where in early 2009, a major outbreak of FMD in the district had been prevented in two villages by vaccination. The 2010 outbreak included collection of tissue samples 1 week after the onset of FMD that confirmed infection with FMD virus serotype O (Myanmar topotype) in a population of 239 large ruminants, comprising 167 cattle and 72 buffalo. A survey by interview of 30 farmers conducted in July 2010 documented high morbidity in cattle and buffalo (>90%) and identified disease risk factors, including increased trading of animals at the end of the rice harvest, plus several failures of biosecurity. In late 2010 and early 2011, a total of 40 and 72 serum samples were collected from large ruminants prior to and post-FMD vaccination respectively and tested by LPB-ELISA. Antibodies were present in the pre-vaccination samples attributable to previous exposure to FMD virus and significantly rising post-vaccination titres indicated likely temporary protection against future FMDV infection. It was concluded that to provide sufficient control of FMD in this 'hotspot', regular vaccination, particularly prior to the peak risk period in December-February, plus improved farmer knowledge of disease transmission risk and biosecurity, is required. Although low rural education standards and language barriers because of multiple ethnic groups pose a challenge for the successful delivery of extension programmes in northern Lao PDR, training to improve disease recognition and reporting plus village-level biosecurity practices is considered important in FMD 'hotspots' if sustainable regional initiatives directed at FMD control are to be achieved.

Three Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in northern Thailand that occurred during the implementation of the national FMD strategic plan in 2008–2015 are described to illustrate the lessons learned and to improve the prevention and control of future outbreaks. In 2008, during a FMD outbreak on a dairy farm, milk delivery was banned for 30 days. This was a part of movement management, a key strategy for FMD control in dairy farms in the area. In 2009, more than half the animals on a pig farm were affected by FMD. Animal quarantine and restricted animal movement played a key role in preventing the spread of FMD. In 2010, FMD infection was reported in a captive elephant. The suspected source of virus was a FMD-infected cow on the same premises. The infected elephant was moved to an elephant hospital that was located in a different province before the diagnosis was confirmed. FMD education was given to elephant veterinarians to promote FMD prevention and control strategies in this unique species. These three cases illustrate how differences in outbreak circumstances and species require the implementation of a variety of different FMD control and prevention measures. Control measures and responses should be customized in different outbreak situations.

FMD virus spillover from domestic livestock caused outbreak in captive wild ungulates: First report from Pakistan

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important contagious transboundary disease that causes a significant economic loss for several countries. The FMD virus (FMDV) can spread very rapidly by direct and indirect transmission among susceptible animals. The complexity and magnitude of FMDV transmission at the initial stages of the epidemic can be expressed by the basic reproductive number (R0), and furthermore, control strategies can be assessed by the estimation of the effective reproductive number. In this study, we aimed to describe FMD outbreaks among smallholder cattle farms by subdistricts in the northern Thailand and compute the effective reproductive number for outbreaks caused by FMDV serotype O and overall serotypes, including serotype O, serotype A, and unidentified serotype, at the subdistrict level (Rsd) using an epidemic doubling time method. Field data of FMD outbreaks during 2015–2017 that affected 94 subdistricts in northern Thailand were assessed to estimate the Rsd. Results showed that 63.38% (90/142) of the FMD outbreak episodes in cattle were caused by FMDV serotype O. The average doubling time and the Rsd estimated of the outbreaks caused by FMDV serotype O and overall serotype were 2.80 and 4.67 months, and 1.06 and 1.04, respectively. Our results indicated that transmission of FMD in cattle at the subdistrict level in northern Thailand was not controlled (Rsd > 1), which indicates the endemicity of the disease in the region. Although control measures are in place, the results from this study highlighted the need for enhancing FMD monitoring and control strategies in northern Thailand.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an acute highly contagious viral disease of all cloven-hoofed animals that causes significant economic problems in Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were to assess the morbidity and clinical features of FMD in sick cattle and identify causal serotypes of FMD outbreaks in central Ethiopia. Outbreaks of FMD were investigated in a total of 150 herds of cattle from January 2021 to April 2021. Seven epithelial tissue and 23 oral swab samples were collected and subjected to a real-time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and Sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for detection and serotyping of FMD virus, respectively. A total of 150 herds of cattle were examined, of which 114 (76%) herds of cattle were clinically affected with FMD. In this study, 75.9% animal-level morbidity was recorded. Exotic breeds and adult cattle were more affected by Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) with morbidity of 100% and 77.4%, respectively. The clinical features in sick cattle showed that profuse salivation was the most frequently observed clinical sign (40%) followed by oral cavity vesicle formation (30%), and interdigital space lesion (15%). Out of 30 samples subjected to rRT-PCR and ELISA test, 28 (93.33%) and 27 (90%) samples were found positive, respectively. In this study, three types of FMD serotypes were detected in which SAT-2 (n = 13) was the predominant serotype followed by serotype O (n = 9), and serotype A (n = 5). The current study revealed that FMD serotype SAT-2 was highly responsible for the occurrence of FMD outbreaks in central Ethiopia. Although the FMD vaccine produced in Ethiopia contains all the identified serotypes, detailed studies on topotypes identification have to be performed to provide full protection.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most contagious and economically influential viral diseases on animal health and productivity. Introduction of newly purchased animals to beef farms constitutes a greater risk for the FMD outbreaks in endemic countries. Physical examination of newly purchased animals in live animal markets and/or at the receiving farm, and the timing of preventative FMD vaccination may reduce the risk of FMD outbreaks under endemic conditions. Small (< 50 animals) and medium (50–500 animals) sized beef farms in Egypt constitute more than 60% of the country’s beef industry where protocols for receiving newly purchased animals vary widely between farms. The current risk analysis aimed to build a decision tree model to reduce FMD outbreaks associated with introduction of replacement cattle on Egypt’s medium sized beef farms. Management practices explored were the use of physical examinations and FMD vaccination and their timing for replacements with the goal of reducing losses due to FMD outbreaks. A producer survey revealed that more than 50% of the study herds relied on live animal markets as a source for replacements and reported more FMD outbreaks (P-value=0.09), FMD herd morbidity > 50% (p-value=0.05), and weight loss > 15 kg/animal in FMD clinical cases (P-value=0.01) in comparison to herds that received replacements from other farms, imported, or purchased from small stakeholders. More than 70% of the surveyed farms received replacements ≤ 1year old and reported significantly higher FMD outbreaks (P-value=0.02) in comparison to farms that received older animals. More than 80% of the surveyed farms performed physical examination of newly purchased animals before arrival at their premises. Of the surveyed farms, 73% reported FMD outbreaks with 67% of the outbreaks being reported during the Fall and Winter seasons. The decision tree identified physical examination of newly purchased animals prior to arrival and mixing with a premises beef herd followed by vaccination against FMD upon arrival as the intervention resulting in the lowest probability of FMD outbreak (8.9%). In contrast, herds that did not perform physical examination and delay the FMD vaccination for two or more weeks had the highest probability of FMD outbreaks (33.5%).

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) burden disproportionally affects Africa where it is considered endemic. Smallholder livestock keepers experience significant losses due to disease, but the dynamics and mechanisms underlying persistence at the herd-level and beyond remain poorly understood. We address this knowledge gap using stochastic, compartmental modelling to explore FMD virus (FMDV) persistence, outbreak dynamics and disease burden in individual cattle herds within an endemic setting. Our analysis suggests repeated introduction of virus from outside the herd is required for long-term viral persistence, irrespective of carrier presence. Risk of new disease exposures resulting in significant secondary outbreaks is reduced by the presence of immune individuals giving rise to a period of reduced risk, the predicted duration of which suggests that multiple strains of FMDV are responsible for observed yearly herd-level outbreaks. Our analysis suggests management of population turnover could potentially reduce disease burden and deliberate infection of cattle, practiced by local livestock keepers in parts of Africa, has little effect on the duration of the reduced risk period but increases disease burden. This work suggests that FMD control should be implemented beyond individual herds but, in the interim, herd management may be used to reduced FMD impact to livestock keepers.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus remains enzootic in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) due to insufficient control measures, including low vaccination coverage. We assessed virus epidemiology and evaluated knowledge, attitude and practice of Lao farmers and animal health stakeholders towards FMD to support politics in devising evidence-based control measures. Sera were collected from 972 domestic ruminants in three provinces of Lao PDR: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane and Xiengkhouang provinces. Seroprevalence of antibodies directed against non-structural proteins of FMD virus was assessed using a commercial ELISA. Positive sera were further characterized by detecting antibodies directed against the structural proteins of FMD serotypes O, A and Asia 1. Information about farm management, biosecurity practices, livestock trade, and past FMD outbreaks was obtained. Overall 35% (340/972) of the ruminants had antibodies against FMD virus with a similar seroprevalence in each province. Seroprevalence depended significantly on the ruminant species (p<.001): 61% of buffaloes, but only 41% of cattle and 15% of goats were seropositive. While antibodies against FMD serotype Asia 1 were absent, 87% (297/340) of the seropositive animals had antibodies against FMD serotype O and 32% (110/340) against FMD serotype A. Many seropositive animals (31%) had antibodies against both serotypes O and A. The majority of the farmers could name the symptoms of FMD and the susceptible animal species. Although many had likely observed FMD outbreaks in their herd and were aware of FMD vaccines, only few vaccinated their animals. This study confirms that FMD remains enzootic in at least three provinces of Lao PDR where vaccination coverage is low. It also shows the relevance of nationwide active and passive disease surveillance, as well as of vaccination campaigns using bivalent FMD vaccines and targeting all susceptible animal species.

Potential contribution of livestock to household incomes is constrained by animal diseases such Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). FMD is a highly infectious viral disease of cloven-footed animals caused by 7 serotypes of FMD Virus. In 1999, an outbreak caused by a re-emerging strain SAT1, occurred in Nakuru district. Lack of previous vaccinations against the serotypes implied that the animals were naive. According to farmers, the outbreak was characterized by high mortalities, morbidities and financial losses. This paper reports findings of a June 2002 study, which estimated the costs of the disease during the outbreak period. The analysis is applied in the context of large scale commercial dairy production system. Data were collected from secondary sources and in a survey using a structured questionnaire. Results showed that Nakuru District normally tops the other leading districts in FMD outbreaks. The losses in the four farms were colossal and amounted to a total of US$ 479105.75. The major losses were associated with deaths, chronic mastitis related culling, reduced milk production and treatment costs. These results provide information that can be used to estimate opportunity costs of not controlling the particular serotype in an economic analysis of FMD control initiatives. In addition, the findings have a policy implication, in that the Veterinary department, who has the mandate to control the disease, need to put in place strict control measures to reduce the losses associated with the disease. To achieve this, the department needs to choose between a proactive or reactive control programme based on a benefit-cost analysis of the two alternatives. In addition, the department needs to be more vigilant in disease surveillance and monitoring. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 7-9

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious and economically important viral disease of cloven hoofed animals caused by FMD virus. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the spatio-temporal distribution, estimate the morbidity and case fatality of FMD outbreaks in Western Amhara region of Ethiopia from January 2018 to June 2023. The FMD outbreaks reported to Bahir Dar regional laboratory and confirmed by Sandwich ELISA were used for this study. A total of 164 FMD outbreaks were reported in Western Amhara region of Ethiopia between 2018 and 2023. The highest and lowest number of FMD outbreaks were reported in 2022 (n = 42 outbreaks) and 2018 (n = 9), respectively; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of FMD outbreaks between years (p = 0.224). There was no significant difference in case fatality and morbidity rates between years (p> 0.05). Based on months, high number of outbreaks were reported during January (n = 32) across all years and the lowest during April, June and September (n = 3 for each district). There was statistically significant difference in the occurrence of FMD outbreaks between months (p < 0.001). On average, 13.66 FMD outbreaks were reported in each month. All administrative zones in Western Amhara region reported more than one FMD outbreaks during January 2018 -June 2023. The highest and lowest outbreaks were reported from East Gojjam Zone (62 outbreaks/6 district years), and Bahirdar Special Zone and Gondar Town (2 outbreaks for each district). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of FMD outbreaks between the administrative zones (p > 0.05). District wise, the highest and lowest number of FMD outbreaks were reported from Goncha Siso district (n = 14) and Banja, Simada, Zigem, Machakel, Debre Elias and Debark (with one outbreak in each district). This study indicated that FMD outbreaks regular occurs in Western Amhara region. To reduce the occurrence and spreading, animal movement and transport should be controlled, and vaccination should be implemented regularly.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious and economically important viral disease of cloven hoofed animals caused by FMD virus. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the spatio-temporal distribution, estimate the morbidity and case fatality of FMD outbreaks in Western Amhara region of Ethiopia from January 2018 to June 2023. The FMD outbreaks reported to Bahir Dar regional laboratory and confirmed by Sandwich ELISA were used for this study. A total of 164 FMD outbreaks were reported in Western Amhara region of Ethiopia between 2018 and 2023. The highest and lowest number of FMD outbreaks were reported in 2022 (n = 42 outbreaks) and 2018 (n = 9), respectively; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of FMD outbreaks between years (p = 0.224). There was no significant difference in case fatality and morbidity rates between years (p> 0.05). Based on months, high number of outbreaks were reported during January (n = 32) across all years and the lowest during April, June and September (n = 3 for each district). There was statistically significant difference in the occurrence of FMD outbreaks between months (p < 0.001). On average, 13.66 FMD outbreaks were reported in each month. All administrative zones in Western Amhara region reported more than one FMD outbreaks during January 2018 –June 2023. The highest and lowest outbreaks were reported from East Gojjam Zone (62 outbreaks/6 district years), and Bahirdar Special Zone and Gondar Town (2 outbreaks for each district). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of FMD outbreaks between the administrative zones (p > 0.05). District wise, the highest and lowest number of FMD outbreaks were reported from Goncha Siso district (n = 14) and Banja, Simada, Zigem, Machakel, Debre Elias and Debark (with one outbreak in each district). This study indicated that FMD outbreaks regular occurs in Western Amhara region. To reduce the occurrence and spreading, animal movement and transport should be controlled, and vaccination should be implemented regularly.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and surrounding game parks in South Africa. The last outbreak of the disease in domestic stock outside the FMD control zone occurred in 1957. Due to the success in containing the disease, the country was accorded zone freedom from FMD without vaccination by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE: World organisation for animal health) in 1995. This status was lost in September 2000 when the first-ever recorded case of serotype O in South Africa was diagnosed in a piggery in KwaZulu-Natal after the illegal feeding of untreated swill. In November 2000, an outbreak of FMD caused by serotype South African Territories (SAT) 1 was diagnosed in a feedlot within the free zone of Mpumalanga Province. The SAT 1 outbreak was traced to cattle in the FMD control zone south of the KNP after the game-proof fence surrounding the KNP was severely damaged by floods. This enabled buffalo to come into direct contact with cattle outside the KNP. A further outbreak caused by SAT 2 was diagnosed within the FMD control zone in February 2001, also as a result of buffalo having escaped from the KNP. All these outbreaks were successfully contained, with the re-instatement of zone freedom from FMD without vaccination by the OIE in May 2002. These outbreaks made it necessary to re-examine the methods of control and containment of FMD that have been practised for many years and which are in line with accepted international practices. The authors describe the rationale for the different control strategies that were followed, the need for a multidisciplinary approach to disease control, the interface between control and technological and diagnostic support and the lessons learned. Some suggestions for future control strategies are also offered.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks by serotype O are dominant in Asia. Topotypes fall mostly into two groups – Southeast Asia (SEA) and Middle East-South Asia (ME-SA). FMD viruses of the SEA topotype (Mya-98 lineage) recently spread widely in Southeast Asia and East Asia. Economic damage by FMD outbreaks in Japan and Korea were very severe in 2010-2011. FMD outbreaks by serotype A are sporadically observed in the region. Serotype Asia 1 newly appeared in Pakistan from 2010 and Bahrain and Iran in 2011. Neighboring countries should take note that there is no matching vaccine available for Asia 1 at this moment. Preparing good matching vaccines is very important for controlling the disease in the Asian region. There are several good matching vaccines for the recent FMD outbreaks by type O (SEA topotype) and type A (Asia topotype). In some cases, however, such as recent outbreaks due to Asia 1 and SEA topotypes, no such matching vaccines are currently available. Officials in countries the region should therefore be aware that a good matching vaccine is not always available and without a good vaccine candidate, early detection and eradication of the disease are critical points in such cases as FMD. In addition, control tools that are different from FMD vaccine are required to prevent pandemic outbreaks and economic catastrophes. Since it takes 7 to 10 days for pigs to produce enough antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV) infection through vaccination, infected pigs continue to excrete a large amount of FMDV in the early stage of infection after emergency vaccination. It is often observed that FMD outbreaks in pigs become large-scale outbreaks and sometimes inflict serious economic damage. It is therefore desired to develop new prompt tools to inhibit FMDV infection or virus excretion from pigs. Antiviral agent exhibit much more prompt and faster effectiveness than vaccine in inhibiting virus excretion from infected animals. In order to inhibit FMDV excretion from infected pigs, which are called amplifiers in FMD, an antiviral agent, T-1105, an pyrazine carboxamide derivative, was developed as a novel tool expected to show prompt efficacy in controlling FMD in pigs.

Zambia has been experiencing low livestock productivity as well as trade restrictions owing to the occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and contagious bovine pleura pneumonia (CBPP). Foot-and-mouth disease was first recorded in Zambia in 1933 in the Western Province and since then the country has experienced repeated outbreaks. Bearing in mind the pressure that may be existing on the many risk factors for FMD including climate change, there is need to review our knowledge on FMD control. We present the spatial distribution of the FMD outbreaks that have been recorded in Zambia in the last twenty years, and the effect of the vaccinations and movement control that have been applied. We propose further strain characterisation of previous FMD outbreaks, including full sequence of VP1 gene and the 5’UTR site. The data will be geo-coded and populated with risk factor attributes. We also present preliminary findings of the buffalo and cattle probang sampling that was conducted in Lochnivar and Kafue National Park. We further probang sampled 25 buffalo at each interface area in Sioma Ngwezi, Lukusuzi and Lower Zambezi national parks. Villages in close proximity to the buffalo populations as well as those not in close proximity will be multistage cluster sampled for comparison. The data will be geo-coded and populated with risk factor and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) characterisation attributes. Data collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire will be geo-coded and populated with identified risk factors and stored in a database and will be spatially modelled to determine their effect on FMD occurrence and control measures. New outbreaks of FMD that may occur will be investigated to find out if there are new strains involved, species affected and predisposing risk factors.The authors conclude that impacts of FMD on livelihoods if appropriate control measures are not put in place are far more devastating especially at community level. Presented with the current poverty levels failure to institute result oriented control measures will exacerbate the already life-threatening situation.