Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotypes detected in Tanzania from 2003 to 2010: Conjectured status and future prospects

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in different geographic locations of Tanzania. Epithelial tissues and fluids (n = 364) were collected from cattle exhibiting oral and foot vesicular lesions suggestive of FMD and submitted for routine FMD diagnosis. The analysis of these samples collected during the period of 2002 and 2010 was performed by serotype-specific antigen capture ELISA to determine the presence of FMDV. The results of this study indicated that 167 out of 364 (46.1%) of the samples contained FMDV antigen. Of the 167 positive samples, 37 (28.4%) were type O, 7 (4.1%) type A, 45 (21.9%) SAT 1 and 79 (45.6%) SAT 2. Two FMDV serotypes (O and SAT 2) were widely distributed throughout Tanzania whilst SAT 1 and A types were only found in the Eastern zone. Our findings suggest that serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and SAT 2 prevail in Tanzania and are associated with the recent FMD outbreaks. The lack of comprehensive animal movement records and inconsistent vaccination programmes make it difficult to determine the exact source of FMD outbreaks or to trace the transmission of the disease over time. Therefore, further collection and analysis of samples from domestic and wild animals are being undertaken to investigate the genetic and antigenic characteristics of the circulating strains, so that a rational method to control FMD in Tanzania and the neighbouring countries can be recommended.

Molecular Characterization of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Viruses Collected in Tanzania Between 1967 and 2009

“…Previous studies have provided evidence for the presence of four FMDV serotypes (O, A, SAT 1 and SAT 2) in Tanzania (Ferris and Donaldson, ; Swai et al., ; Kasanga et al., ). A serological survey of wildlife in Tanzania suggested infection with O, A, SAT 1 and SAT 2 may be widespread in free‐living African buffalo in many parts of the country, and FMDV infection of other wildlife species was also detected (Hamblin et al., ).…”

Challenges and prospects for the control of foot-and-mouth disease: an African perspective

“…Recent studies in East and southern Africa have revealed genetic differences between viruses isolated at different times and places. [37][38][39] Periodically, there have been incursions of types SAT1 and SAT2 from Africa into the Middle East, probably as a result of animal movement. 35,36 The most recent reports include the spread of viruses of the SAT2 serotype to Yemen in 1990, to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 2000, and to the Palestinian Autonomous Territories and Bahrain in 2012.…”

“…39 At least four serotypes (A, O, SAT1, and SAT2) are endemic in this cluster, [37][38][39][49][50][51] with serological evidence for a fifth serotype (C) 52 ( Figure 1). A sixth serotype (SAT3) was isolated in wildlife (African buffalo) in Uganda in 1970, 10 although it has never been isolated from livestock in this cluster.…”

“…Northern Malawi and Northern Zambia are under constant threat of FMD spread from southern Tanzania. 29,38,39,48 The Angola cluster may also include the western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Very little is known about the true incidence of FMD within this cluster, and no official information is available on the isolation of FMDV from Angola since 1974.…”

Foot-and-Mouth Disease, an Economically Important Disease of Animals

“…Countries like Iran, the southern countries of the former Soviet Union and South-East Asia including India and Pakistan, Philippines, Malaysia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Eritrea (Jamal et al, 2010;Abbas et al, 2012;Abubakar et al, 2012;Verma et al, 2012a, (Kasanga et al, 2012aTekleghiorghis et al, 2013 …”