Outbreak investigations of foot and mouth disease virus in Nepal between 2010 and 2015 in the context of historical serotype occurrence. Issue 4 (10th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adhikari, Ganesh; Acharya, Krishna P.; Upadhyay, Mukul; Raut, Rabin; Kaphle, Krishna; Khanal, Tanka; Bertram, Miranda R.; Stenfeldt, Carolina; Arzt, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Veterinary medicine and science. Volume 4:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 304
• Page End: 314
• Publication Date: 2018-09-10
• Subjects: analysis -- Epidemiological -- FMD -- Nepal -- Outbreak -- Serotypes; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Animal Diseases; Veterinary medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1095

Abstract

Abstract: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is endemic in Nepal and causes substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. The goal of this study was to perform an epidemiological analysis of FMD outbreaks reported to the Veterinary Epidemiology Center, Tripureshwor, Nepal during 2010–2015, in order to strengthen the National FMD Control Program. These current data were considered in the context of historical data on FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes detected in the country between 1965 and 2015. During 2010–2015, a total of 1333 livestock holdings reported FMD outbreaks in Nepal. On average, 71.2 animals were affected in each outbreak, with a case fatality rate of 3.6%. FMD was reported throughout the country, and the proportion of affected holdings was not significantly among eco‐zones, regions, or species. The Hill eco‐zone had the highest number of holdings affected (782), followed by Mountain (304), and Terai (247). When analysed by the developmental region, the Western (381) and Central (368) Developmental Regions had the highest numbers of holdings affected. Cattle were the most frequently affected species (39%), followed by buffalo (33%), and goats (19%). FMD occurred throughout the year, with peaks in winter (December/January) and in the pre‐monsoon period (April/May). Between 1965 and 2015 FMDV serotype O had the highest prevalence (81%), followed by Asia‐1 (11%), A (6%), and C (2%). Serotype C was not detected after 1996, and only serotype O was reported after 2011. These descriptive analyses provide critical landmarks to establish baselines, and document early progress of the ongoing Progressive Control Pathway of FMD (PCP‐FMD) which could be useful in Nepal and other South Asian nations. Abstract : FMD was reported throughout the country, and the distribution of affected holdings was not significantly different from the distribution of all holdings by eco‐zone, region, or species. The Hill eco‐zone had the highest number of holdings affected (782), followed by Mountain (304), and Terai (247). When analysed by developmental region, the Western (381) and Central (368) Developmental Regions had the highest numbers of holdings affected. Cattle were the most frequently affected species (39%), followed by buffalo (33%), goats (19%), pigs (5%), sheep (4%) and yak (0.2%). Analysis of accumulated data on FMDV serotypes detected in Nepal from 1965 to 2015 indicated that serotype O had the highest prevalence (81%), followed by serotype Asia‐1 (11%), A (6%), and C (2%). There was no detection of serotype C after 1996, and serotype O was the only serotype reported after 2011. However, as FMDV serotype data was only available from a limited subset of FMD‐affected holdings, these findings should be interpreted with caution. The output of these analyses could be useful will be used to guide FMD control programmes in Nepal.