A review on the FMD in Ethiopia

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most widespread diseases of animals in the world. The disease is caused by the foot and mouth virus which is a highly infectious disease that is recorded in many species of animals and also very occasionally in humans. To create new subtypes of the virus, mutations were made in the three major surface proteins (VP1–VP3) and occurred in the tissue culture. FMD virus affects the cloven-footed domestic and wild ungulates. FMD in susceptible animals has a high morbidity rate, but a low mortality rate. The disease can be serious in young calves as fatality may reach up to 20%. Many FMD outbreaks in Africa have been caused by the movement of infected livestock. Common symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, salivation, and sudden death of young livestock. Aerosolized virus spread is the most common mode of transmission. Serological tests and nucleic acid recognition are the most common methods of confirming an unequivocal diagnosis of a disease. FMD is subject to national and international control and the measure is taken depending on whether the country is free from the disease or endemic infection. FMD is endemic and widely prevalent in all areas of the Ethiopian country. There was a significant proportion of the serotypes O, A, South Africa Territories (SAT)-2, SAT-1, and C in Addis Ababa, Amhara, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and SNNPRS, respectively. So far, a seroprevalence study in Ethiopia has indicated that the prevalence in cattle varies from 0.8% to 53.6%. FMD can be controlled with quarantine, restrictions on animal movement, isolation of infected animals, vaccination programs, properly disposing of infected carcasses, as well as other means, which are practical for Ethiopia.