Epidemiology of Foot and Mouth Disease in Ethiopia: a Retrospective Analysis of District Level Outbreaks, 2007-2012

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the incidence, distribution, risk factors, and causal serotypes of foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Ethiopia based on 5 years of retrospective outbreak data (September 2007 until August 2012). District level outbreak data were collected from 115 randomly selected districts using a questionnaire administered to district animal health officers. The national incidence of FMD outbreaks during the study period was 1.45 outbreaks per five district years. Outbreaks were geographically widespread affecting all major regional states in the country and were more frequent in the central, southern, and southeastern parts of the country. Neither long-term nor seasonal trends were observed in the incidence of outbreaks. A mixed effects logistic regression analysis revealed that the type of production system (market oriented system versus subsistence systems), presence of a major livestock market and/or route, and adjacency to a national parks or wildlife sanctuary were found to be associated with increased risk of outbreaks in the districts. FMD virus serotypes O, A, SAT 2, and SAT 1 were identified as the causal serotypes of the outbreaks during the study period. Whereas O was the dominant serotype, SAT 2 was the serotype that showed increase in relative frequency of occurrence. The estimated incidence of outbreaks is useful in assessing the economic impacts of the disease, and the identified risk factors provide important knowledge to target a progressive FMD control policy for Ethiopia.

Cost-benefit analysis of foot and mouth disease control in Ethiopia

“…Based on data over the years 2007 to 2012, annual district level incidence of FMD outbreak was estimated at 0.24, 0.39 and 0.85 per district year in the CLM, pastoral and market oriented districts, respectively (Jemberu et al, 2015b). This means, for example, about a quarter (24%) of the districts in the CLM system are affected by FMD outbreaks every year.…”

“…Information on outbreak incidences was used from Jemberu et al (2015b). Data on the herd structure, morbidity and mortality, and production losses due to a FMD outbreak were based on the study by Jemberu et al (2014) for the CLM and pastoral systems, and by Beyi (2012) for the market oriented system. Milk price and live cattle price data were based on the CSA monthly agricultural producer price survey of (CSA, 2014.…”

“…Milk price and live cattle price data were based on the CSA monthly agricultural producer price survey of (CSA, 2014. Draft power rent price was obtained from the field survey results of Jemberu et al (2014). A detailed overview of the input data values is provided in Table 1.…”

“…The proportion of FMD affected animals that were treated by antibiotics was estimated from a recent field survey (Jemberu et al, 2014). The costs of FMD tests for the sero-monitoring and the price of vaccine were obtained from NVI.…”

“…The costs of FMD tests for the sero-monitoring and the price of vaccine were obtained from NVI. Costs of outbreak investigations, delivery of vaccination, and antibiotic treatments were based on a recent field survey (Jemberu et al, 2014). Details of the control cost data and their sources are provided in Table 3.…”