Foot-and-mouth Disease Outbreaks Research Articles

One-size measures do not fit all areas: Evaluation of area-specific control of foot and mouth disease in Thailand using bioeconomic modelling

Information on the epidemiological and economic consequences of control measures is fundamental to design effective foot and mouth disease (FMD) control measures. One approach to obtaining this information is through bioeconomic modelling. In this study, a bioeconomic model was used to evaluate FMD control in two different study areas in Thailand: a high farm density area predominantly consisting of dairy farms and a low farm density area with mixed farm types. The bioeconomic model consists of an epidemiological part and an economic part. For the epidemiological part, a stochastic between-farm transmission model was constructed with transmission parameters estimated from FMD outbreaks in Thailand. The outputs from the epidemiological model, i.e. the number of infected farms, the number of affected farms and the outbreak duration, are used as inputs for economic model to calculate the economic consequences. We applied the simulation model with four FMD control measures: culling the animals of infected farms, ring vaccination, animal movement restrictions and isolation of infected farms. Furthermore, we included effect of farmers' compliance to asses its effect on control measures. The simulated FMD outbreaks in the low farm density area were small, thus control measures did not greatly affect the size of outbreaks and, therefore, did not have a positive economic return. In contrast, in the high farm density area, FMD outbreaks were large without control measures. All measures reduced the size of the outbreaks but resulted in different total costs. In terms of outbreak control, culling infectious farms was the best option, but its total cost was higher than ring vaccination or isolation of infected farms. In terms of cost-effectiveness, ring vaccination was the best measure. If farmers' compliance were low, all control measures would be ineffective, resulting in high total cost of the outbreak. The cost distribution between compliant and non-compliant farms showed that non-compliant farms paid more than compliant farms, except for the ring vaccination scenario. The results emphasize the economic significance to customize control measures specific to the area's conditions and highlight the importance of farmers' compliance when designing control measures.

Epidemiological Analysis of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak in 2014 in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka faced a massive Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in 2014, which was initiated in Jaffna district in December 2013, and lasted for a period of more than a year, until January 2015. The disease spread throughout the country, affecting 68895 domestic animals, and causing 2007 deaths. The aim of this study was to epidemiologically analyze the data of 2014 FMD outbreak in order to understand the pattern and determinants of the massive disease distribution. Data were collected regarding the number of cases and deaths in relation to the time and location. Data in Disease Outbreak Reports, Follow-up Reports, Disease Investigation Reports and Laboratory Investigation Reports were reviewed, and descriptive and simple statistical analyses were carried out concerning the 57 epidemiological week study period. Disease Incidence, Period Prevalence, Mortality Rate, and Case Fatality Ratio of the disease were determined to be 68895, 6.11%, 0.18% and 2.91%, respectively. Seasonal animal movements and unauthorized livestock transportation appeared to be the main causes for the extensive spreading of the disease, while inadequate vaccination and poor awareness seemingly facilitated the development of three epidemic curves during the outbreak period. Newly identified causative agent, the sub-lineage O/ME-SA/Ind-2001d has led to a more severe FMD outbreak in 2014 compared to the previous outbreaks occurred in Sri Lanka.

Phylogenetic analyses and antigenic characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus PanAsia lineage circulating in China between 1999 and 2023

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most important transboundary animal diseases caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), leading to significant economic losses worldwide. The first report of PanAsia lineage of FMDV in China was in 1999. Since 2011, 18 outbreaks attributed to PanAsia lineage viruses have been reported across 7 provinces or municipality in China. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these PanAsia strains were clustered into three distinct clades (clade 1, clade 2, and clade 3), with nucleotide homology ranging from 91.4% to 100%. The outbreaks of FMD caused by clade 1 strains occurred around 1999 when this lineage was prevalent globally. Clade 2 strains dominated from 2011 to 2013, while clade 3 strains were prevalent during 2018–2019, sharing only 93% homology with clade 2 strains and 91% with clade 1 strains. Tracing analysis showed that these outbreaks represented 3 distinct introductions of PanAsia viruses into China. Virus neutralization tests (VNT) have demonstrated that current commercial vaccines are effective to protect susceptible animals against these strains (r1 ​> ​0.3). However, the growing demand for livestock has promoted animal movement and encouraged the exchange of products, services, and materials between countries, thereby heightening the risk of exotic strain incursions. Therefore, it is imperative to reinforce border controls and limit animal movements among various Asian countries continually to reduce the risk of new transboundary diseases, such as FMD incursion. Additionally, PanAsia-2 strains need to be taken seriously to prevent its incursions, and the relevant vaccines against PanAsia-2 strains need to be stockpiled in preparation for any possible incursion.

Study of the Financial Feasibility of a Dairy Farming Business after the FMD Outbreak in Kampung Susu Lawu, Plaosan District, Magetan Regency

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> An outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Indonesia targeted ruminants, notably impacting dairy cows and precipitating a significant downturn in milk production during the year 2022. This research aimed to determine the financial feasibility and break-even point of post-FMD dairy farming within the Kampung Susu Lawu livestock group in Plaosan District, Magetan Regency.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Employing a quantitative descriptive method, this study utilized survey techniques involving 50 dairy farmers affiliated with the Livestock Group of Kampung Susu Lawu. The data analysis encompassed investment analysis, including the Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Pay Back Period of Credit (PPC), and Break-Even Point (BEP).</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The findings revealed a BCR value of 1.49, NPV amounting to IDR 38,888,178.00, IRR at 26.36%, PPC of 3.46 years, BEP pegged at IDR 33,043,062.00/year, and BEP based on the unit set at 7,396 liters of milk/year. Financial analysis indicated a positive NPV, a BCR exceeding 1, an IRR surpassing prevailing bank interest rates, and a PPC duration of 3.46 years, collectively affirming the financial feasibility of the dairy farming business.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This investigation shows that the post-FMD smallholder dairy business is economically feasible. Farmers stand to accrue benefits by surpassing the production threshold of 7,396 liters of milk/year or by maintaining a herd of productive dairy cows numbering more than three.</p>

Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Matching and Post-Vaccination Assessment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Despite the annual vaccination of livestock against foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), outbreaks of the disease continue to be reported. The effective control of field outbreaks by vaccination requires that the vaccines used are antigenically matched to circulating field FMD viruses. In this study, a vaccine matching analysis was performed using the two-dimensional virus neutralization test (VNT) for three field isolates belonging to the O/ME-SA/PanAsia-2/ANT-10 and O/ME-SA/SA-2018 lineages collected from different FMD outbreaks that occurred within the Abu Dhabi Emirate in 2021 affecting Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), goat, and sheep. In addition, post-vaccination antibodies in sheep and goats were measured using solid-phase competitive ELISA (SPCE) for FMDV serotypes A and O at five months after a single vaccine dose and a further 28 days later after a second dose of the FMD vaccine. An analysis of vaccine matching revealed that five out of the six vaccine strains tested were antigenically matched to the UAE field isolates, with r1-values ranging between 0.32 and 0.75. These results suggest that the vaccine strains (O-3039 and O1 Manisa) included in the FMD vaccine used in the Abu Dhabi Emirate are likely to provide protection against outbreaks caused by the circulating O/ME-SA/PanAsia-2/ANT-10 and O/ME-SA/SA-2018 lineages. All critical residues at site 1 and site 3 of VP1 were conserved in all isolates, although an analysis of the VP1-encoding sequences revealed 14-16 amino acid substitutions compared to the sequence of the O1 Manisa vaccine strain. This study also reports on the results of post-vaccination monitoring where the immunization coverage rates against FMDV serotypes A and O were 47% and 69% five months after the first dose of the FMD vaccine, and they were increased to 81 and 88%, respectively, 28 days after the second dose of the vaccine. These results reinforce the importance of using a second booster dose to maximize the impact of vaccination. In conclusion, the vaccine strains currently used in Abu Dhabi are antigenically matched to circulating field isolates from two serotype O clades (O/ME-SA/PanAsia-2/ANT-10 sublineage and O/ME-SA/SA-2018 lineage). The bi-annual vaccination schedule for FMD in the Abu Dhabi Emirate has the potential to establish a sufficient herd immunity, especially when complemented by additional biosecurity measures for comprehensive FMD control. These findings are pivotal for the successful implementation of the region's vaccination-based FMD control policy, showing that high vaccination coverage and the wide-spread use of booster doses in susceptible herds is required to achieve a high level of FMDV-specific antibodies in vaccinated animals.

Change in the incidence of stillbirth in Japanese Black cattle during the animal movement restrictions and suspended insemination.

We aimed to characterize the change in the incidence of stillbirth (IS) in Japanese Black cattle during and after animal movement restrictions and suspended insemination because of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Miyazaki Prefecture in 2010. Calving data from 2006 to 2018 were collected from approximately 900 farms. Post-FMD period was divided into three based on the median IS per month (1.80%): period 1 (May 2011 to February 2013), period 2 (March 2013 to August 2015), and period 3 (September 2015 to December 2018). The ISs were similar during the Pre-FMD period and Post-FMD period 1, then substantially decreased during Post-FMD period 2 (p < .05), before returning to the value before the FMD outbreak period during Post-FMD period 3. Compared with the Pre-FMD period, Post-FMD period 1 was associated with a higher proportion of calvings by primiparous cows and Post-FMD period 2 was associated with a smaller number of calvings per month (p < .05). There were high ISs in primiparous cows during the Pre-FMD period, Post-FMD period 1, and Post-FMD period 3 (p < .05), but not during Post-FMD period 2. In summary, after the animal movement restrictions and suspended insemination introduced because of the FMD outbreak, the IS temporarily decreased and consequently returned to the pre-FMD level.

Analysis of Milk Production and Quality of Friesian Holstein Cows Before and After Maintenance at the Maju Mapan Joint Business Group of Dairy Farmers in Malang

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the variations in milk production and milk quality at the Maju Mapan Joint Business Group of Dairy Farmers in Malang before and after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in dairy cows. This study used fresh cow milk from dairy farmers who were members of the Maju Mapan Joint Business Group of Dairy Farmers in Malang. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents. Out of a total of 300 dairy farmers at the Maju Mapan Joint Business Group of Dairy Farmers, 30 dairy farmers were selected as respondents. A sample of 10% the dairy farmers was taken to determine milk production and quality by recording data on milk production. The data were analyzed using the normality test and paired t-test. The results suggested significant differences in milk production and milk quality before and after the FMD outbreak at the Maju Mapan Joint Business Group of Dairy Farmers in Malang.

Policy response on handling of foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Indonesia

Endemic Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks are a threat to animal husbandry, especially beef cattle in Indonesia. As a response to the emergence of the outbreak, appropriate management policies are needed to minimize losses, considering that the majority of animal husbandry in Indonesia is small businesses. This study aimed to find out the government’s policy response in handling FMD in Indonesia since it was first discovered (28 April 2022) in Gresik, East Java to early 2023. This research method uses a qualitative method with a case study approach sourced from government data in the form of publications, reports, statutory policies, statistics, and regulatory literature studies issued by the government in response to the outbreak. The results of the research show that the government implemented various policies to control FMD outbreaks starting from the pre-crisis evaluation stage with the existence of Law Number 41 of 2014 and Law Number 21 of 2019 and the derivative regulations under them. In the second phase, pre-crisis preparedness, the government responds to outbreaks in several districts in East Java and Aceh to designate them as FMD pandemic areas. In the third stage, crisis response through organizational coordination is carried out with the cooperation of Pentahelix from various sectors and layers of society in handling FMD. Finally, after recovery and investigation, the government realized the importance of vaccination and outreach, especially to smallholder farmers in Indonesia.

Seroprevalence and molecular detection of foot and mouth disease virus in cattle in selected districts of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious, endemic, and acute viral cattle ailment that causes major economic damage in Ethiopia. Although several serotypes of the FMD virus have been detected in Ethiopia, there is no documented information about the disease's current serostatus and serotypes circulating in the Wolaita zone. Thus, from March to December 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate FMDV seroprevalence, molecular detection, and serotype identification in three Wolaita Zone sites. A multistage sample procedure was used to choose three peasant associations from each study region, namely Wolaita Sodo, Offa district, and Boloso sore district. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to pick 384 cattle from the population for the seroprevalence research, and 10 epithelial tissue samples were purposefully taken from outbreak individuals for molecular detection of FMDV. The sera were examined using 3ABC FMD NSP Competition ELISA to find antibodies against FMDV non-structural proteins, whereas epithelial tissue samples were analyzed for molecular detection using real-time RT-PCR, and sandwich ELISA was used to determine the circulating serotypes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the associated risk variables. The total seroprevalence of FMD in cattle was 46.88% (95% CI 41.86–51.88), with Wolaita Sodo Town having the highest seroprevalence (63.28%). As a consequence, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that animal age, herd size, and interaction with wildlife were all substantially related to FMD seroprevalence (p < 0.05). During molecular detection, only SAT-2 serotypes were found in 10 tissue samples. Thus, investigating FMD outbreaks and identifying serotypes and risk factors for seropositivity are critical steps in developing effective control and prevention strategies based on the kind of circulating serotype. Moreover, further research for animal species other than cattle was encouraged.

The Socio-Economic Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on Livestock Farming in Sierra Leone, an Empirical Evidence from Six (6) Districts

As a highly infectious disease, Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) has been eradicated by many wealthy nations but remains endemic in most of the world especially countries in Sub-Saharan Africa1. When FMD outbreaks occur in disease free countries and zones that produce livestock for export, the economic impact is clear to see; however, the impact of the disease in endemic countries is more controversial, particularly when compared to diseases that cause greater mortality. Taking into account the limited resources of veterinary services for the implementation of animal disease surveillance anywhere and anytime in Sierra Leone, a socio-economic impact assessment study was conducted to quantify the impacts, spread and occurrence of the disease, in order to target and put in place precautionary control measures including targeted surveillance. The main socio-economic impact question of the study was “What is the social and economic impact of FMD in the districts under review. The study was conducted in 6 districts in the North and East of Sierra Leone. A total of 240 respondents using purposive sampling were interviewed to elicit information on the main socio-economic variables that informed the study. The study established (80%) of the sampled farmers are livestock farmers, while 32 people (13.3%) are crop farmers who mainly practice subsistence farming. The study proved that the yearly income from the sales of livestock both especially large ruminants increase to 154 (64.2%). This percentage plummeted when FMD struck in 2018-2019. The study showed that (55.8% of the household indicated that their cattle suffered from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) during the outbreak of July-August 2018-2019, while goats and sheep suffered Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) with households reporting (70.8%) and 162 (68%) of Infection rates before the commencement of this study. The study recommended that the veterinary division of maintain and improve on active surveillance of FMD, update surveillance plan targeting priority districts and hotspots of FMD outbreak such as livestock markets to maintain the current status of Low risk to prevent social and economic impacts’

Potent small molecule inhibitors against the 3C protease of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most devastating diseases of livestock which can cause significant economic losses, especially when introduced to FMD-free countries. FMD virus (FMDV) belongs to the family Picornaviridae and is antigenically heterogeneous with seven established serotypes. The prevailing preventive and control strategies are limited to restriction of animal movement and elimination of infected or exposed animals, which can be potentially combined with vaccination. However, FMD vaccination has limitations including delayed protection and lack of cross-protection against different serotypes. Recently, antiviral drug use for FMD outbreaks has increasingly been recognized as a potential tool to augment the existing early response strategies, but limited research has been reported on potential antiviral compounds for FMDV. FMDV 3C protease (3Cpro) cleaves the viral-encoded polyprotein into mature and functional proteins during viral replication. The essential role of viral 3Cpro in viral replication and the high conservation of 3Cpro among different FMDV serotypes make it an excellent target for antiviral drug development. We have previously reported multiple series of inhibitors against picornavirus 3Cpro or 3C-like proteases (3CLpros) encoded by coronaviruses or caliciviruses. In this study, we conducted structure-activity relationship studies for our in-house focused compound library containing 3Cpro or 3CLpro inhibitors against FMDV 3Cpro using enzyme and cell-based assays. Herein, we report the discovery of aldehyde and α-ketoamide inhibitors of FMDV 3Cpro with high potency. These data inform future preclinical studies that are related to the advancement of these compounds further along the drug development pathway.IMPORTANCEFood-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) causes devastating disease in cloven-hoofed animals with a significant economic impact. Emergency response to FMD outbreaks to limit FMD spread is critical, and the use of antivirals may overcome the limitations of existing control measures by providing immediate protection for susceptible animals. FMDV encodes 3C protease (3Cpro), which is essential for virus replication and an attractive target for antiviral drug discovery. Here, we report a structure-activity relationship study on multiple series of protease inhibitors and identified potent inhibitors of FMDV 3Cpro. Our results suggest that these compounds have the potential for further development as FMD antivirals.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus dynamics in border areas of Pakistan with Afghanistan.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease that impacts cloven-hoofed animals globally. The illegal trade of livestock between the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan can contribute to the spread of this disease. This study focuses on investigating the outbreaks of FMD that occurred in this area from June 2020 to May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 233 epithelial tissue samples were collected, and 77% were found positive for FMDV through an antigen-detection by ELISA and molecular conformation through RT-PCR. The study found three serotypes of FMDV dominating in the border area of Pakistan with Afghanistan: O, A, and Asia-1. The outbreak activity was peaked between August/September followed by July/October 2020. Phylogenetic analysis conducted using the VP1 region sequence showed that serotype O isolates belonged to the Middle East-South Asia (ME-SA) topotype, PanAsia-2 lineage, and ANT-10 sub-lineage, while serotype Asia-1 isolates belonged to a novel lineage BD-18.The highest prevalence of serotype O of FMDV was found in cattle and buffalo of 1-2year age group, while the highest outbreak ratio of serotype O was recorded in goats of 0-1year age group and sheep of > 2year age group. The serotype O was more prevalent in male than female sheep. The type A was more prevalent in females of sheep and goats than their corresponding males. The serotype Asia-1 was more prevalent in females of cattle and sheep than their corresponding males. The outbreak epidemiology of FMD varied significantly between various regions, months of study, animal species, age groups, and gender. The study found that FMD outbreaks in the border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan were diverse and complicated, and that different types of FMDV were circulating. The study recommended effective actions to stop FMD transmission in this area.

Circulation of foot-and-mouth disease serotypes, risk factors, and their effect on hematological and biochemical profiles among cattle and buffalo in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious disease of cloven-hoofed animals, including buffalo, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, causing major economic losses to the local farmers and, overall, to the national economy of the country. This study aimed to detect FMDV serotypes in year-round FMD outbreaks, hematological and biochemical changes, and oxidative stress in FMDV-infected cattle and buffaloes in the district of Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, and the socioeconomic impact of FMD outbreaks on farmers. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the district of Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, where FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematological, biochemical, and oxidative analyses were performed by analyzing the blood of FMDV-infected and non-infected animals. Information on the associated risk factors was obtained through a structured questionnaire by interviewing farmers in each FMD-affected farm. Thirty-four out of 38 farms (89%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 75%-97%) were positive for FMD by ELISA. Higher FMD infection was detected in farms with a herd size of <50 animals (50%, 17/34), followed by >100 animals (32%, 11/34) and 51-100 animals (18%, 6/34). Fifty-seven percent (114/200, 95% CI: 50%-64%) of animals were positive for FMD. Of these, 61% (69/114) were cattle and 39% (45/114) were buffalo. FMD positivity was higher in females (86%, 98/114) than in males (14%, 16/114) and higher in animals older than 2 years of age (52%, 59/114). On average, farmers lose U.S. dollars 3000 annually due to FMD outbreaks. Animals infected with FMDV had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) white blood cell counts and significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower hemoglobin and total protein concentrations in buffalo and cattle, whereas infected cattle showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower albumin levels. Globulin levels were lower in buffaloes infected. Alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in infected cattle (p ≤ 0.05). Creatinine levels were higher in infected buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Urea and phosphorus concentrations were higher in FMDV-infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Calcium levels were lower in infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Catalase enzyme activity in infected cattle and buffaloes was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in FMDV-infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). This study confirmed serotype O circulation among cattle and buffalo in year-long FMD outbreaks in the Quetta District of Balochistan. Blood analysis identified a parameter deviated from the normal level due to FMDV infection. In addition, the outbreak of FMD has a significant negative economic impact on livestock farmers.

Molecular Epidemiology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an endemic disease in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in both wild and domestic animals. Despite this, no systematic FMD outbreak investigation accompanied by molecular characterisation of FMD viruses (FMDVs) in small ruminants or cattle has been performed, and only a single report that describes sequences for FMDVs in wildlife from the Emirate has been published. In this study, FMD outbreaks that occurred in 2021 in five animal farms and one animal market in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi were investigated. Cases involved sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx). Twelve samples were positive for FMDV via RT-qPCR, and four samples (Arabian oryx n = 1, goat n = 2, and sheep n = 1) were successfully genotyped using VP1 nucleotide sequencing. These sequences shared 88~98% identity and were classified within the serotype O, Middle East-South Asia topotype (O/ME-SA). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Arabian oryx isolate (UAE/2/2021) belonged to the PanAsia-2 lineage, the ANT-10 sublineage, and was closely related to the FMDVs recently detected in neighbouring countries. The FMDV isolates from goats (UAE/10/2021 and UAE/11/2021) and from sheep (UAE/14/2021) formed a monophyletic cluster within the SA-2018 lineage that contained viruses from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. This is the first study describing the circulation of the FMDV O/ME-SA/SA-2018 sublineage in the UAE. These data shed light on the epidemiology of FMD in the UAE and motivate further systematic epidemiological studies and genomic sequencing to enhance the ongoing national animal health FMD control plan.

Surviving the summer: foot-and-mouth disease virus survival in U.S. regional soil types at high ambient temperatures.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most economically significant global livestock diseases. In the U.S., economic optimization models run in 2011 demonstrate the highest mean epidemic impact of a potential FMD outbreak in California would occur in livestock-dense regions, resulting in national agriculture losses of $2.3 to $69.0 billion. In the case that an FMD outbreak occurred in the U.S., mass depopulation, carcass disposal, and disinfection protocols for infected premises have been designed to prevent further viral spread. Because the FMD virus (FMDV) is spread mechanically via the environment, characteristics of viral environmental stability are important. Temperature and adsorption to soil particles are reported to be the most important factors affecting general virus survival; however, how much these factors alter FMDV survival has not been tested. Soil samples were examined from typical U.S. regions containing the highest cattle population densities: Tennessee, Georgia, Nebraska, California, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Iowa. Soils were spiked with known quantities of FMDV and FMDV stability was evaluated over seven distinct time points between 0 hours and 12 days at incubation temperatures of 25°C and 37°C to represent a range of typical ambient temperatures during the summer. FMDV stability was quantified via virus titration. Virus decayed faster at higher ambient temperatures for all soils, but decay at 25°C was faster in some soils. Consequently, areas with high ambient temperatures may have lower between-farm transmission rates, slower outbreak spread, and simpler farm decontamination. This study provides a helpful exploration into understanding soil survival of the virus. Additional investigations into FMDV survival across different soil types will aid in developing better disinfection protocols and further refining regional viral transmission rate estimates.

Clinical and Antigen Serotype O Confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Virus Outbreak in Punjab Spillover from Domestic Livestock

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most highly contagious viral diseases affecting cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals. This study described clinical investigations of FMD outbreaks (n=13) with serotype O confirmation in seven districts of Punjab from October 2023 to April 2024. Samples from sick animals and post-mortem examinations were collected from FMD suspected animals for laboratory diagnosis. The investigation included clinical signs and lesions, blood profiles, presence of other infectious pathogens, differential diagnosis, and the cause of death in the area. A total of 13 outbreaks in farm ruminants were confirmed, detecting FMDV serotype O. Outbreaks were reported in Ludhiana, Barnala, Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Faridkot, Mansa, and Amritsar districts. Animals were diagnosed to be positive for FMDV antigen using Sandwich ELISA. A total of 692 animals, including both cattle and buffalo, were affected in these districts, with a mortality rate of 24.42% (169/692) in young animals and heifers. The most severely affected districts were Bathinda, Barnala, and Faridkot, that experienced high mortality rates, leading to significant economic losses in these areas. Histopathologically samples revealed muscle degeneration and diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, and lymphocytic myocarditis in the heart, which is characteristic of the cardiac form of FMD. Serotype O FMDV, primarily circulating in the study area, was identified as the cause of the outbreaks in farm ruminants under investigation. The local animal health authorities should take steps to minimize the spread of the disease by being prepared for risk factors, particularly animal movement and human activities linked to an outbreak and the need for improved vaccination coverage and enhanced biosecurity measures to control the spread of FMD in the region.

Genomic breeding simulation study to identify QTL associated with cattle disease traits in Hanwoo

This research used the simulation program to identify individuals resistant to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) using the QMSim program. The simulation program was utilized to generate genetic and phenotypic data for individuals with and without FMD immunity. Subsequently, based on the simulated data, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with FMD immunity. Additionally, the QTLs identified by GWAS were compared with Random Forest (RF) and XGBoost. Out of the 41,461 SNPs, which included QTLs generated from the simulation, a total of 20 markers were found to be associated with FMD immunity. When comparing the performance of GWAS, RF, and XGBoost, RF identified the highest number of QTLs (7), followed by GWAS (6) and XGBoost (3). Furthermore, GBLUP, RF, and XGBoost were employed to classify individuals as either having or lacking FMD immunity. The classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated using a confusion matrix, and the results were compared. The overall accuracy of the classification was as follows: XGBoost 0.53, RF 0.52, GBLUP 0.51. Sensitivity values were RF 0.98, XGBoost 0.97, GBLUP 0.19, and specificity values were GBLUP 0.83, XGboost 0.08, RF 0.05. XGBoost consistently outperformed the other methods in the overall accuracy and sensitivity, while GBLUP exhibited the lowest performance. Therefore, the research suggests that combining various methods in an ensemble approach, rather than relying solely on GBLUP, can lead to better predictions of FMD-resistant individuals. This approach has the potential to help mitigate the damages caused by future FMD outbreaks.

The milk production of recovered dairy cows from foot-and-mouth disease in the Medowo Village, Kandangan Subdistrict, Kediri

The outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has caused a crisis for Indonesian farmers, particularly dairy cattle in Medowo village. The FMD outbreak affected the whole dairy cow population in Medowo, resulting in major losses defined by high mortality rates and a halt in milk production during the cows' FMD infection. Dairy cows, which are essential for maintaining milk production and providing an economic foundation for Medowo's farmers, led our team to execute community service from January to August 2023. Socialization and data collection on farmers and their cows were followed by laboratory testing for mastitis identification and treatment. The outreach events focused on mastitis care for cows, promoting talks to solve farmers' issues, particularly in livestock health. Farmers were instructed on how to report subclinical mastitis instances to appropriate authorities, were trained on how to prepare fermented feed/silage with probiotics to improve feed quality, and were monitored for overall evaluation. The milk production data collected showed that morning yield produce higher quantity than afternoon yield. The lowest milk production occurs in September, while the highest is observed in November. Overall, data from dairy cow milk production in Medowo Village after FMD outbreak show a satisfactory result, illustrating the success of community service programs. Future initiatives should include collecting data on a regular basis to allow for ongoing evaluation and continued improvement in milk production.

Compared to Aluminum Hydroxide Adjuvant, Montanide ISA 206 VG Induces a Higher and More Durable Neutralizing Antibody Response against FMDV in Goats.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has a high prevalence in cloven-hoofed animals. It is also highly contagious and remains a serious threat to livestock worldwide. Despite the widespread vaccination program in Iran, outbreaks of FMD continue to occur. Vaccination is one of the most effective methods of preventing FMD. The vaccines used in Iran are of the inactivated type and contain several serotypes. Since inactivated vaccines without adjuvants do not induce a high and durable antibody response, it is necessary to use adjuvants. Montanide ISA 206 VG is a mineral oil-based adjuvant that produces a water-in-oil-in-water (w:o:w) emulsion in vaccine preparations. However, a large number of manufacturers in Iran and around the world still use alum adjuvant (with or without saponin) to produce the FMD vaccine. This study used Montanide ISA 206 and alum adjuvants to administer the O2010 serotype of the FMD virus to goats. A total of six goats were divided randomly into three groups. Vaccines were administered subcutaneously twice, at a one-month interval. Blood sampling was done at different times, and the micro-neutralization method was used to measure the neutralizing antibody titer in each serum. Seven days after the second vaccination, the alum group's antibody titer was higher but not statistically significant. However, from the 28th day after the second injection until the end of the study, the Montanide ISA 206 group's antibody titer was significantly higher than that of the alum group. Six months after the second injection, the antibody titer in the ISA 206 group remained at the peak level, while in the alum group, it decreased and reached the minimum protective level. Nine months after the second injection, the antibody titer remained at its peak level in the ISA 206 group, whereas it dropped significantly in the alum group. Based on the findings, ISA 206 VG is capable of generating long-term humoral immunity in goats against the FMD serotype O2010 and could replace aluminum hydroxide adjuvants in FMD vaccine preparations.

Estimation of foot-and-mouth disease virus sero-prevalence rates using novel computational approach for the susceptible bovine population in India during the period 2008–2021

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. In India, a vaccination-based official FMD control programme was started, which got expanded progressively to cover entire country in 2019. The serological tests are used to determine non-structural protein based sero-prevalence rates for properly implementing and assessing the control programme. Since 2008, reporting of the FMD sero-surveillance was limited to the serum sample-based serological test results without going for population-level estimation due to lack of proper statistical methodology. Thus, we present a computational approach for estimating the sero-prevalence rates at the state and national levels. Based on the reported approach, a web-application (https://nifmd-bbf.icar.gov.in/FMDSeroSurv) and an R software package (https://github.com/sam-dfmd/FMDSeroSurv) have been developed. The presented computational techniques are applied to the FMD sero-surveillance data during 2008–2021 to get the status of virus circulation in India under a strict vaccination policy. Furthermore, through various structural equation models, we attempt to establish a link between India’s estimated sero-prevalence rate and field FMD outbreaks. Our results indicate that the current sero-prevalence rates are significantly associated with previous field outbreaks up to 2 years. Besides, we observe downward trends in sero-prevalence and outbreaks over the years, specifically after 2013, which indicate the effectiveness of various measures implemented under the FMD control programme. The findings of the study may help researchers and policymakers to track virus infection and identification of potential disease-free zones through vaccination.