The role of small ruminants in the spread of foot and mouth disease in Mbire district of Mashonaland Central Province
- Author
- Chonde, Deria
- Title
- The role of small ruminants in the spread of foot and mouth disease in Mbire district of Mashonaland Central Province
- Abstract
- Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an economically and highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals. Although adult animals generally recover, the morbidity rate is high in naïve populations, and significant pain occurs in other species. A cross sectional study was conducted in Mbire District (Gonono and Bonga dip tanks) between April and May 2022, to determine the sero-prevalence and identify potential risk factors associated with FMD in goats and sheep. Results of the study showed that out of the 100 goats and sheep sampled, 39 animals tested positive for FMD virus antibodies in the two study areas representing an overall sero-prevalence of 39 % (95%, CI =29.4-48.58). At Gonono dip tank the sero-prevalence was 48% (95%, CI= 34.15-61.84), while at Bonga dip tank, the sero-prevalence was 30% (95%, CI=17.29-42.7). There was no significant difference in sero-prevalence between the two study areas (p >0.05). Antibodies to two Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes (SAT 2 and SAT 3) were detected in the goats and sheep in the study areas. The results revealed that, there was no significant association between risk factors and sero-prevalence of foot and mouth disease in goats and sheep. However, males, ovine and mature animals are more likely to be sero-positive compared to females, caprine and young animals, respectively. These results show that FMD is prevalent in goats and sheep in Mbire District and that goats and sheep may play an important role in the epidemiology of the disease. It is therefore, recommended that these animal species should also be included in the routine vaccination programmes against FMD.
- Date
- 2022
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Foot and mouth disease
- Livestock health
- Supervisor
- Kunaka, K
- Item sets
- Department of Animal Sciences
