Some Challenges to Progressive Control of Foot and Mouth Disease in Pakistan - Findings of a Pilot Survey

Abstract

Pakistan is at an initial stage for progressive control of foot and mouth disease (FMD). Understanding the risk factors for introduction, spread and persistence of the infection is important to design an evidence-based disease control programme. A rapid appraisal method was adopted, and a convenient sample of twenty commercial dairy farmers was interviewed. The following were considered to contribute in secondary transmission of infection: (i) intermediaries and service providers [animal health workers, animal traders and transporters, raw milk collectors, persons who remove skin of dead animals], (ii) places where animals come in close contact [livestock markets, animal fairs, communal grazing pastures, routes in villages where livestock move, watering points, animal transport vehicles], (iii) use of bulls immediately after recovery from FMD infection, (iv) range land/desert livestock production, (v) small holder sheep and goat production, (vi) purchase of replacement stock and fodder from infected locations. This article reveals contacts within and between villages, some of which may act as routes of transmission of FMD. The study suggests the need for zoosanitary education of the livestock keepers.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for foot‐and‐mouth disease in cattle in Baghlan Province, Afghanistan

“…For the control of FMD, it is critical to identify the local factors that influence the occurrence of disease. Prior to this study, no investigations into the epidemiology of FMD and factors contributing to disease in Baghlan province had been undertaken; however, similar studies had been conducted in many other regions of the world, including neighbouring Pakistan and Iran (Abbas et al., 2014; Emami et al., 2015).…”

Genetic diversity and comparison of diagnostic tests for characterization of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus strains from Pakistan 2008–2012

“…Controlling FMD in Pakistan continues to be difficult due to various factors including unavailability of properly matched vaccines, inadequate diagnostic resources and failures of cold chain necessary for maintaining proper vaccine storage and transportation (Abbas, Younus, Muhmmad, Ijaz, & Shakoor, ). The Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) makes recommendations for international movements of live animals and animal products based upon potential risk of FMD for different commodities (OIE, ; Sutmoller & Casas Olascoaga, ).…”

Assessment of foot-and-mouth disease risk areas in mainland China based spatial multi-criteria decision analysis

“…Grazing is done in areas close to borders, leading to encounters with other FMD-affected livestock and wildlife, whose common behavior may increase the risk of disease transmission [30]. Previous studies reported the aggregation of different animals at the same watering points and pastures as a cause of FMD transmission and persistence [31].…”