Spatio-temporal patterns of foot-and-mouth disease transmission in cattle between 2007 and 2015 and quantitative assessment of the economic impact of the disease in Niger

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Niger, with outbreaks occurring every year. Recently, there was an increasing interest from veterinary authorities to implement preventive and control measures against FMD. However, for an efficient control, improving the current knowledge on the disease dynamics and factors related to FMD occurrence is a prerequisite. The objective of this study was therefore to obtain insights into the incidence and the spatio-temporal patterns of transmission of FMD outbreaks in Niger based on the retrospective analysis of 9-year outbreak data. A regression tree analysis model was used to identify statistically significant predictors associated with FMD incidence, including the period (year and month), the location (region), the animal-contact density and the animal-contact frequency. This study provided also a first report on economic losses associated with FMD. From 2007 to 2015, 791 clinical FMD outbreaks were reported from the eight regions of Niger, with the number of outbreaks per region ranging from 5 to 309. The statistical analysis revealed that three regions (Dosso, Tillabery and Zinder), the months (September, corresponding to the end of rainy season, to December and January, i.e., during the dry and cold season), the years (2007 and 2015) and the density of contact were the main predictors of FMD occurrence. The quantitative assessment of the economic impacts showed that the average total cost of FMD at outbreak level was 499 euros, while the average price for FMD vaccination of one outbreak was estimated to be more than 314 euros. Despite some limitations of the clinical data used, this study will guide further research into the epidemiology of FMD in Niger and will promote a better understanding of the disease as well as an efficient control and prevention of FMD.

Seroprevalence and molecular characterization of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus in Chad

“…These authors determined seroprevalence by age group in Nigeria and also obtained higher seroprevalence in adults than in young animals. (Bertram, Bravo, et al, 2018;Bertram, Delgado, et al, 2018;Habiela, Alamin, et al, 2010;Habiela, Ferris, et al, 2010;Kouato, Elliot, et al, 2018;Kouato, Souley, et al, 2018;Wungak et al, 2016).…”

“…FMD is enzootic in most of Africa, particularly in Central and West Africa (Couacy-Hymann et al, 2006;Kouato, Souley, et al, 2018;Paton, Sumption, & Charleston, 2009;Rweyemamu et al, 2008). The incidence of FMD virus transmission is most likely related to animal mobility (Bertram, Bravo, et al, 2018;Bertram, Delgado, et al, 2018).…”

“…In Chad, four serotypes have been identified: O, A, SAT1 and SAT2 (Gueme, 1998;Ouagal et al, 2018Ouagal et al, , 2017Ouagal, Hendrikx, Saegerman, & Berkvens, 2010). The circulation of these serotypes was reported in countries neighbouring Chad, such as Sudan, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria (Abu Elzein, 1983;Bertram, Bravo, et al, 2018;Bertram, Delgado, et al, 2018;Ehizibolo et al, 2017aEhizibolo et al, , 2017bHabiela, Alamin, Alamin, Raouf, & Ali, 2010;Habiela, Ferris, et al, 2010;Kouato, Elliot, et al, 2018;Kouato, Souley, et al, 2018).…”

Retrospect and Risk Analysis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in China Based on Integrated Surveillance and Spatial Analysis Tools

“…However, other provinces, such as Xinjiang and Jiangsu, also experienced FMD outbreaks in winter. We surmise that the winter-related food shortage and lack of sunlight could reduce animal immunity (18,(43)(44)(45), contributing to FMDV transmission and increased risk of infection. In addition, the map of FMD cases (Figure 3) in the FMD prevalence analysis showed that Xinjiang and Tibet were the two provinces in China with a high frequency of FMD outbreaks.…”

“…Souley et al utilized the spatio-temporal patterns of transmission of FMD outbreaks in Niger to improve knowledge on the disease dynamics and factors related to FMD occurrence and conduct an efficient control (17). Jemberu et al used a retrospective analysis to determine the incidence, distribution, risk factors, and causal serotypes of FMD outbreaks in Ethiopia (18).…”