Foot and mouth disease control strategies in Africa

Foot and mouth disease control strategies in Africa are complicated by special features of the disease and its control which are peculiar to Africa. Six of the seven serotypes of foot and mouth disease virus are known to occur in Africa and within each serotype wide antigenic variations have been demonstrated. This among other factors has necessitated constant changes in vaccine viruses. Recent serological studies indicated the possibility of rationalising the selection of vaccine viruses to a few baseline strains. Detailed epidemiological studies are lacking in view of the limited laboratory facilities. The necessity for a network of national diagnostic laboratories coordinated through an international regional FMD reference centre in Africa is stressed. The role of animal movements of different forms and wildlife mammals in virus dissemination is discussed. Examples of effective FMD control programmes in Northe, Eastern and Southern Africa are described. It is stressed that a greater effort will be required in regional coordination of FMD control programmes. © 1984.