Regional Status and FMD s Control Strategies in North Africa Jaouad BERRADA, DVM, Ph.D, Director of Veterinary Services National Office of Sanitary Food Safety Rabat-Morocco
SUMMARY - Introduction - Importance of ruminant sector in North Africa - Background of FMD in North Africa (NA) - Control approachs of FMD in NA - Emergence of FMD SAT2 in NA - Future perspectives for control and eradication of FMD in North Africa
Introduction Foot and Mouth Disease: Severe, highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hooved animals. Caused by an Aphtovirus belonging to Picornaviridae family. 7 types and more than 60 subtypes of FMD virus have been described. Typical transboundary animal disease, severely affecting animal production, disrupting regional and international trade of animals and animal products and restricting market access. Affects livelihoods of farmers and food security, Direct and indirect losses and cost for prevention and control constitute high burden on national economies of affected countries.
(1) Source: FAO STAT Database 2010 Importance of ruminant sector in North Africa (1) NA counts large population of domestic ruminants with more than 124 millions heads dominated by small ruminants The sector plays an important socio-economic role contributing significantly in food security. Country Ruminant species (in thousands) Buffaloes Cattle Dromedaries Sheep Goat Egypt 4000 4524.95 140 5591.58 4200 Lybia - 195 56 7000 2700 Tunisia - 670.9 235 7234.07 1295,94 Algeria - 1650 290 20000 3800 Morocco - 2895.8 50 18023.2 5685.7 Mauritania - 1677.63 1350,85 8860 5500 Total 4000 11614.28 2121.85 66708.85 23181.64
Background of FMD in North Africa Epidemiological features of FMD in NA: NA is bordered by natural barriers such as Sahara in the south, Red and Mediterranean seas at east and north and the Atlantic Ocean at the west. Trade of animals and animal products as well as animal movement are common source of entry of FMD virus in NA. Most FMD episodes were sporadic, epizootic and cyclic in occurrence. They originated from exogenous sources (South America, West and East Africa, Europe, Middle-East ). Some of them swept the entire region.
Background of FMD in North Africa Epidemiological features of FMD in NA (ct d): FMD has been reported in NA at numerous occasions between 1950 and 2012. The most recent epizootics were reported by Libya and Egypt (2011 & 2012). Several FMD virus types (A, O, C, SAT 2) were associated with FMD outbreaks in NA; Type O being the most prevalent. Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia experienced their last outbreaks in 1999, (Type O Maghreb, belonging to topotype O West Africa). Data recorded in recent years, suggest that FMD is becoming enzootic in Mauritania, Egypt and Libya.
History of FMD occurrence in North Africa (1950-2012) Egypt Libya Country Algeria Morocco Mauritania Tunisia Serotypes O A C ASIA 1 SAT 1 SAT 2 SAT 3 1966 1960 1999 1951 1977 1952 1950 1958 1956 2012 1961-62 1958 1964-77 1972 1978-82 2006 1987 2009-12 1989-94 1997 2000 2006-09 2011 1959 1979 2003 1962 2009 2012 1967-68 1978 1981-83 1988-89 1994 2010-12 1991 1952 1992 1977 (A 77 ) 1999 2000-01 1983 (A 5 ) 1997 2006 1975-76 1970 1979 1965 1975 1982 (A 5 ) 1967 1989-90 1969 1994 1999 Data Source: FAO World Reference Laboratory for FMD
Distribution of reported FMD virus types in North Africa (1950 2012) Type O Type A Type SAT 2 Type C Data Source: FAO World Reference Laboratory for FMD
Epidemiological situation of FMD in NA Country Dates of recent/last FMD epizootics FMD virus Type involved Egypt Libya 2009 2011 2012 2009 2010 2012 A & O O A & SAT2 A O O & SAT2 Present FMD Epidemiological situation Enzootic Enzootic Tunisia 1999 O Stable at risk Algeria 1999 O Stable at risk Morocco 1999 O Stable at risk Mauritania 2006 A Not determined to enzootic
Control approaches of FMD in NA General features Lack of a regional harmonized control strategy at the scale of NA, despite the existence of a regional organization (UMA); Despite similar conditions and practices, FMD control approaches differ according to countries and Type of FMD virus involved; each country adopts its own program depending upon its capacity. Most of North African countries have specific regulations to deal with FMD. With the exception of Morocco, North African countries adopt vaccination as a tool of FMD control, especially during or after an epizootic. Laboratory capacity for rapid and accurate diagnostic of FMD is limited for certain countries in the region.
Control approaches of FMD in Algeria & Morocco During an FMD epizootic, FMD control is based upon combination of sanitary (Slaughter of susceptible animals in outbreak foci, closure of livestock markets, restriction of animal movement, quarantine area and buffer zone, disinfection of infected premises & surveillance ) and medical measures (ring and mass vaccination of cattle). During Inter epizootic period, epidemiosurveillance (small ruminants used as sentinels) associated to mass vaccination of cattle using Mono or bivalent vaccines directed against prevalent type(s) of FMD virus is employed. Morocco has stopped FMD vaccination since 2007 following several seroepidemiological surveys conducted on cattle and small ruminants, which confirmed the absence of FMDV circulation. The country prepared an FMD contingency plan, is relying on epidemio-surveillance and has constituted a vaccine antigen bank to be used in case of emergency.
Control approaches of FMD in Tunisia, Egypt & Mauritania Regular epidemiological surveillance of livestock combined with annual mass vaccination of susceptible animals are conducted as means of FMD control. Small ruminants are vaccinated using a monovalent type O vaccine. Large ruminants are vaccinated with a trivalent vaccine (type O, A and C), Mass vaccination of large and small ruminants using mono or multivalent vaccines is the method used to control FMD outbreaks in Egypt and Libya. Egypt is producing FMD vaccines for domestic use. Official data on FMD control approach in Mauritania is currently lacking.
Emergence of FMD SAT2 in NA The Recent emergence of FMD SAT2 outbreaks in Egypt and Libya originating probably from different sources is posing a serious threat to the entire region and to Europe as well. These outbreaks are thought to be linked to trade of animals from East Africa; The lack of rapid response, the non availability of matching vaccines associated with uncontrolled movement of animals across country borders may contribute to the spread of the epizootic to neighboring countries ;
Future perspectives for control and eradication of FMD in North Africa Considering the transboundary and the contagiousness character of FMD, control must be considered at the regional level through: Establishment of a coordinated regional control program with the support of international and regional organizations, Strenghtening the role REMESA as a surveillance network to promote transparency, collection and exchange of epidemiological data between its member countries; Building laboratory capacity at the regional level to enable in situ rapid and accurate diagnosis of FMD,
Future perspectives for control and eradication of FMD in North Africa (ct d) Adopting contingency plans, enabling rapid national and regional response to FMD threat or incursion; Enforcing control of animal movements at borders; Establishing,a regional vaccine antigen bank directed against prevailing or theatening virus types..
Future perspectives for control and eradication of FMD in North Africa Considering the stable and favourable epidemiological situation of FMD and efforts made toward its eradication in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, OIE validated at its 80th general assembly official FMD control programs of these 3 countries. This recognition will certainly encourage other countries to engage in this pathway as a first step toward granting FMD freedom status.
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