Patterns of foot-and-mouth disease virus detection in environmental samples in an endemic setting

Longitudinal study of foot-and-mouth disease virus in Northern Nigeria: implications for the roles of small ruminants and environmental contamination in endemic settings

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed ungulates. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the role of small ruminants and environmental contamination in the epidemiology and endemicity of FMD. A longitudinal study was conducted between March 2021 and October 2021 in northern Nigeria, where monthly samples were collected from five households, one livestock market and one transhumance location in two local government areas (LGA) identified as being at high risk of FMD. Serum samples (n = 783), oral swabs (n = 424) and environmental swabs (n = 458) were collected and tested for the presence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) RNA by rRT-PCR. Serum samples (n = 780) were also tested for the presence of antibodies against FMDV non-structural proteins. The proportion of FMDV RNA positive samples increased in all sample types collected in one LGA during the period when an FMD outbreak was reported in the same LGA. In contrast, sero-positive samples did not differ by month but differed between LGAs and amongst species. The force of infection estimated from age-seroprevalence data for each household was significantly lower in goats compared with both cattle or sheep. Five O/EA-3 topotype sequences were obtained from selected FMDV RNA positive samples; findings which support the use of environmental swabs to detect circulating FMDV strains in endemic settings. These results show oral and environmental swabs are suitable sampling methods for early detection at animal and herd level, respectively and provide insights on the role of small ruminants on FMD epidemiology.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a viral infection of livestock that is an important determinant of global trade in animal products. The disease causes a highly contagious vesicular syndrome of cloven-hoofed animals. Successful control of FMD is dependent upon early detection and recognition of the clinical signs, followed by appropriate notification and response of responsible government entities. Awareness of the clinical signs of FMD amongst producers and veterinary practitioners is therefore the key in protecting US agriculture from the catastrophic impacts of an FMD outbreak. This review summarizes key clinical and epidemiologic features of FMD from a US perspective.

Spatial and temporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Algeria from 2014 to 2022

Background and Aim

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a major transboundary animal ailment in Algeria, is a serious economic burden on the livestock sector. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of FMD in Algeria and identifies the factors contributing to this phenomenon.

Materials and Methods

Data on FMD cases occurring in Algeria from 2014 to 2022 were collected from various sources, including archives at the Ministry of Agriculture, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, reference laboratory reports, and unpublished scientific reports. The data were compiled and analyzed using MS Office Excel® and SPSS® software.

Results

A total of 22,690 FMD cases and 1,141 outbreaks were reported in Algeria between 2014 and 2022. The apex of infections occurred in 2014 (34.5%), followed by an increase in the number of infections in 2019 and 2017. The prevalence of FMD extended to 91.6% of the districts of the country, particularly in the north (center) and eastern regions. Cows were the most affected, with 654 outbreaks and more than 3,665 cases. Although FMD affected all four regions, there was a statistically significant long-term decline in the incidence.

Conclusion

These spatial and temporal trends underscore the robust disease control methodologies implemented by the Algerian government, such as the strategic immunization of livestock to fortify their viral resistance, stringent constraints on animal mobility, and enlightenment of farmers regarding the hazards associated with unrestricted livestock movement to effectively curb FMD dissemination.