The Rosselkhoznadzor is concerned about the spread of FMDV serotype SAT-2 in the Middle East and Western Asia

SAT-2 (South Africa Territories 2) is exotic not only for RUSSIA, but also for the countries of the Eurasian continent in general. Currently circulating in the African wild. Previously in the Middle East, the SAT-2 serotype caused FMD outbreaks in 2000 in Saudi Arabia and 2012 in Palestine.

In Iraq, the first clinical manifestations of the disease were registered on January 3, 2023. Patient samples were examined in Turkey at the SAP Institute. According to the report of the European Commission for the Control of FMD, clinical signs of the disease were observed in the outbreaks in all susceptible animals present: cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats.

In Jordan, the first outbreak of foot and mouth disease was reported on 26 January 2023 in Alhaldia, part of Mafraq province in the northeast of the country, on a mixed farm of imported calves and lambs, and then moved to neighboring dairy cattle farms in Dhlail in Zarqa province. According to the Jordanian media, up to 60% of all dairy cattle (about 700 farms) of the Kingdom are concentrated in these provinces.

In Turkey, foci of the disease were identified after field trips to various provinces of the country with clinical examination and sampling. These activities were carried out as a response to the registration of the disease in Iraq. At the moment, 8 cases of infection with a new type of foot-and-mouth disease virus are known.

Many countries in the region are endemic for foot-and-mouth disease, and some of them have not been officially reported on the epidemiological situation to the World Organization for Animal HEALTH (OIE) for decades. In some countries, anti-epizootic work is not organized at the state level. For example, in Iraq, there has been no centralized FMD vaccination since 2020.

According to the OIE classification, the countries of the region are assigned to Pool 3 “Western Eurasia”, where FMD viruses of types A, O, Asia-1 are common, and for which separate measures are taken, but in general they are insufficient and do not allow stabilizing the situation. In case of detection of clinical signs of the disease and / or diagnosis of the disease, slaughter and destruction of animals and livestock products are not carried out.

– Under such conditions, a new type of foot-and-mouth disease virus SAT-2 can spread rapidly, which is especially important for Russia - to border countries with which close economic activity is organized - Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the states of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan , Turkmenistan and Tajikistan), where the entire population of artiodactyl animals is unvaccinated against the SAT-2 serotype, the department stressed.

The introduction of foot-and-mouth disease virus even into one of the regions of the North Caucasian or Southern federal districts of Russia that are part of the FMD-free zone with vaccination officially recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (animals are vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease types A, O, Asia-1, but not SAT-2) will result in the suspension of the status of the entire zone, which in turn will lead to restrictions on both the EXPORT of livestock products and grains, and on trade within the country.

In connection with the spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus of the SAT-2 serotype in 2022-2023. In the countries of the Middle East, FGBI “ARRIAH” specialists refreshed strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus of the SAT-2 serotype, which are currently suitable for the manufacture of vaccines.

ROSSELKHOZNADZOR is also negotiating with the competent authorities of the infected countries on the issue of transferring a biomaterial containing a new type of foot-and-mouth disease virus to the Federal State Budgetary Institution "ARRIAH" for its subsequent use for the production of a homologous vaccine.

- As always, an important role in the prevention of the introduction of a new disease and early response is given to regional veterinary services and representatives of the hunting community. In case of detection of dead and sick wild and domestic susceptible animals, as well as population changes, please immediately inform the higher organizations, as well as the Rosselkhoznadzor.