scholarly journals Foot and mouth disease in Zambia: Spatial and temporal distributions of outbreaks, assessment of clusters and implications for control

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yona Sinkala ◽  
Martin Simuunza ◽  
John B. Muma ◽  
Dirk U. Pfeiffer ◽  
Christopher J. Kasanga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Probability Model ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Spatial Scan Statistic ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
Foot And Mouth

Zambia has been experiencing low livestock productivity as well as trade restrictions owing to the occurrence of foot and mouth disease (FMD), but little is known about the epidemiology of the disease in these endemic settings. The fundamental questions relate to the spatio-temporal distribution of FMD cases and what determines their occurrence. A retrospective review of FMD cases in Zambia from 1981 to 2012 was conducted using geographical information systems and the SaTScan software package. Information was collected from peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, laboratory reports, unpublished scientific reports and grey literature. A space–time permutation probability model using a varying time window of one year was used to scan for areas with high infection rates. The spatial scan statistic detected a significant purely spatial cluster around the Mbala–Isoka area between 2009 and 2012, with secondary clusters in Sesheke–Kazungula in 2007 and 2008, the Kafue flats in 2004 and 2005 and Livingstone in 2012. This study provides evidence of the existence of statistically significant FMD clusters and an increase in occurrence in Zambia between 2004 and 2012. The identified clusters agree with areas known to be at high risk of FMD. The FMD virus transmission dynamics and the heterogeneous variability in risk within these locations may need further investigation.

scholarly journals Environmental Sampling as a Low-Technology Method for Surveillance of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in an Area of Endemicity

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Colenutt ◽  
Emma Brown ◽  
Noel Nelson ◽  
Jemma Wadsworth ◽  
Jenny Maud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Environmental Sampling ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Clinical Cases

ABSTRACT Environmental sampling enables disease surveillance beyond regular investigation of observed clinical cases, extending data on the circulation of a pathogen in a specific area. Developing straightforward, low-technology methods suitable for use under field conditions is key to the inclusion of such approaches alongside traditional surveillance techniques. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is an economically important livestock pathogen, affecting cloven-hoofed livestock in many countries. Countries with FMDV face severe trade restrictions, and infections can have long-term effects on the productivity of affected animals. Environmental contamination by the virus in excretions and secretions from infected individuals promotes transmission but also presents an opportunity for noninvasive sample collection, facilitating diagnostic and surveillance activities. We present environmental sampling methods that have been tested in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, where FMDV is endemic. A total of nine sites were visited and sampled between November 2016 and November 2017. Environmental swabs collected from sites with reported outbreaks of FMD were used to demonstrate successful detection of FMDV RNA from the environment. The development of methods that can reliably detect FMDV RNA in the environment is significant, since this possibility extends the toolbox available for surveillance for this disease. Similar methods have already been deployed in the effort to eradicate polio, and with FMDV, such methods could easily be deployed in the event of an outbreak to provide additional resources for detection that would relieve pressure on veterinary services. The development of low-technology, straightforward surveillance methods such as these can support a robust response to outbreaks.IMPORTANCE Prompt confirmation and diagnosis of disease are key factors in controlling outbreaks. The development of sampling techniques to detect FMDV RNA from the environment will extend the tool kit available for the surveillance of this pathogen. The methods presented in this article broaden surveillance opportunities using accessible techniques. Pairing these methods with existing and novel diagnostic tests will improve the capability for rapid detection of outbreaks and implementation of timely interventions to control outbreaks. In areas of endemicity, these methods can be implemented to extend surveillance beyond the investigation of clinical cases, providing additional data for the assessment of virus circulation in specific areas.

scholarly journals The Epidemiological and Economic Impact of a Potential Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Austria

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Marschik ◽  
Ian Kopacka ◽  
Simon Stockreiter ◽  
Friedrich Schmoll ◽  
Jörg Hiesel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Spread Model ◽  
Foot And Mouth

An outbreak of foot-and mouth disease (FMD) in an FMD-free country such as Austria would likely have serious consequences for the national livestock sector and economy. The objective of this study was to analyse the epidemiological and economic impact of an FMD outbreak in Austria in order to (i) evaluate the effectiveness of different control measures in two Austrian regions with different livestock structure and density, (ii) analyse the associated costs of the control measures and the losses resulting from trade restrictions on livestock and livestock products and (iii) assess the resources that would be required to control the FMD outbreak. The European Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread Model (EuFMDiS) was used to simulate a potential FMD outbreak. Based on the epidemiological outputs of the model, the economic impact of the outbreak was assessed. The analysis of the simulations showed that the success of control strategies depends largely on the type of control measures, the geographical location, the availability of sufficient resources, and the speed of intervention. The comparison of different control strategies suggested that from an economic point of view the implementation of additional control measures, such as pre-emptive depopulation of susceptible herds, would be efficient if the epidemic started in an area with high livestock density. Depending on the chosen control measures and the affected region, the majority of the total costs would be attributable to export losses (e.g., each day of an FMD epidemic costs Austria € 9–16 million). Our analysis indicated that the currently estimated resources for surveillance, cleaning, and disinfection during an FMD outbreak in Austria would be insufficient, which would lead to an extended epidemic control duration. We have shown that the control of an FMD outbreak can be improved by implementing a contingency strategy adapted to the affected region and by placing particular focus on an optimal resource allocation and rapid detection of the disease in Austria. The model results can assist veterinary authorities in planning resources and implementing cost-effective control measures for future outbreaks of highly contagious viral diseases.

scholarly journals An integrated model to predict the atmospheric spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. SØRENSEN ◽  
D. K. J. MACKAY ◽  
C. Ø. JENSEN ◽  
A. I. DONALDSON
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Desktop Computer ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Demographical Data ◽  
The Uk

The application of a computer model called Rimpuff for simulating the airborne spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is described. Rimpuff is more sophisticated and accurate than other FMD simulation models previously described. It can be run on a desktop computer and performs analyses very quickly. It can be linked to a geographical information system and so the information generated can be integrated with geographical and demographical data for display in a format that can be easily assimilated and transmitted electronically. The system was validated using historical data from outbreaks of FMD in France and the UK in 1981, and from Denmark and the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1982. A very good fit was obtained between the direction of the plumes of virus simulated by the model and the spread of disease from France to the UK in 1981. Although cattle in the UK were infected during the episode, the concentrations of airborne virus in the plumes simulated by the model were beneath the infectivity threshold for cattle. It was concluded from the analysis that the number of pigs infected in France, and therefore the source concentration of airborne virus, was probably much higher than was recorded at the time of the outbreaks. Analysis of the Denmark/GDR episode pointed to the possibility that the source of virus for the 1982 epidemic in Denmark could have been one or more unreported outbreaks involving pigs in the former GDR.

scholarly journals Foot-and-mouth disease control in Zambia: A review of the current situation

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yona Sinkala ◽  
D. Pfeiffer ◽  
C. Kasanga ◽  
J.B. Muma ◽  
M. Simuunza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Foot And Mouth

Zambia has been experiencing low livestock productivity as well as trade restrictions owing to the occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and contagious bovine pleura pneumonia (CBPP). Foot-and-mouth disease was first recorded in Zambia in 1933 in the Western Province and since then the country has experienced repeated outbreaks. Bearing in mind the pressure that may be existing on the many risk factors for FMD including climate change, there is need to review our knowledge on FMD control. We present the spatial distribution of the FMD outbreaks that have been recorded in Zambia in the last twenty years, and the effect of the vaccinations and movement control that have been applied. We propose further strain characterisation of previous FMD outbreaks, including full sequence of VP1 gene and the 5’UTR site. The data will be geo-coded and populated with risk factor attributes. We also present preliminary findings of the buffalo and cattle probang sampling that was conducted in Lochnivar and Kafue National Park. We further probang sampled 25 buffalo at each interface area in Sioma Ngwezi, Lukusuzi and Lower Zambezi national parks. Villages in close proximity to the buffalo populations as well as those not in close proximity will be multistage cluster sampled for comparison. The data will be geo-coded and populated with risk factor and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) characterisation attributes. Data collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire will be geo-coded and populated with identified risk factors and stored in a database and will be spatially modelled to determine their effect on FMD occurrence and control measures. New outbreaks of FMD that may occur will be investigated to find out if there are new strains involved, species affected and predisposing risk factors.The authors conclude that impacts of FMD on livelihoods if appropriate control measures are not put in place are far more devastating especially at community level. Presented with the current poverty levels failure to institute result oriented control measures will exacerbate the already life-threatening situation.

Biophysical Measurement of Molecular Weight of Foot-and-Mouth Disease RNA Fragments

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 262-263
Author(s):  
Sydney S. Breese ◽  
Howard L. Bachrach
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Bovine Plasma ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Carbon Coated ◽  
Rna Fragments ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Continuing studies on the physical and chemical properties of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have included electron microscopy of RNA strands released when highly purified virus (1) was dialyzed against demlneralized distilled water. The RNA strands were dried on formvar-carbon coated electron microscope screens pretreated with 0.1% bovine plasma albumin in distilled water. At this low salt concentration the RNA strands were extended and were stained with 1% phosphotungstic acid. Random dispersions of strands were recorded on electron micrographs, enlarged to 30,000 or 40,000 X and the lengths measured with a map-measuring wheel. Figure 1 is a typical micrograph and Fig. 2 shows the distributions of strand lengths for the three major types of FMDV (A119 of 6/9/72; C3-Rezende of 1/5/73; and O1-Brugge of 8/24/73.

High resolution surface structure of foot-and-mouth disease virus

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-377
Author(s):  
S. S. Breese ◽  
H. L. Bachrach
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Surface Structure ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
Potassium Phosphate ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Physical Measurements ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth

Models for the structure of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have been proposed from chemical and physical measurements (Brown, et al., 1970; Talbot and Brown, 1972; Strohmaier and Adam, 1976) and from rotational image-enhancement electron microscopy (Breese, et al., 1965). In this report we examine the surface structure of FMDV particles by high resolution electron microscopy and compare it with that of particles in which the outermost capsid protein VP3 (ca. 30, 000 daltons) has been split into smaller segments, two of which VP3a and VP3b have molecular weights of about 15, 000 daltons (Bachrach, et al., 1975).Highly purified and concentrated type A12, strain 119 FMDV (5 mg/ml) was prepared as previously described (Bachrach, et al., 1964) and stored at 4°C in 0. 2 M KC1-0. 5 M potassium phosphate buffer at pH 7. 5. For electron microscopy, 1. 0 ml samples of purified virus and trypsin-treated virus were dialyzed at 4°C against 0. 2 M NH4OAC at pH 7. 3, deposited onto carbonized formvar-coated copper screens and stained with phosphotungstic acid, pH 7. 3.

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