FMD in the Middle- East

موضوع: FMD in the Middle- East الأربعاء أغسطس 05, 2009 7:46 pm

Situation of FMD in the Middle-East
(compilation of information from OIE (official notifications), or reports to
EuFMD/FAO by countries or by the FAO/OIE/EC FMD reference Laboratory,
Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, UK1)
Serotype A
In the first months of 2009, outbreaks of FMD caused by serotype A have been detected in
several countries in the Middle East. This serotype is considered endemic in Turkey, Iran and
Pakistan, but as a result of genetic and antigenic drift, sweeping regional epidemics occur at
intervals. The last major type A change in the region was in 2005-6, when an epidemic of the
A Iran 05 strain spread through Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, reaching the Thrace region of Turkey
and as far as Jordan. In 2008, a new variant of the type A Iran 05 virus replaced the
previous strain in Turkey, and this, and related type A viruses appear to be on the move in
the region.
The current situation gives rise to concern, as type A outbreaks have been detected in
several countries for the first time in many years. Such international spread indicates a high
incidence in source countries, which could lead longer distance spread to free regions, by
various routes.
In January and February, more than 130 outbreaks were reported in the central and
southern Iraq, involving a new variant of A Iran 05. An appeal through FAO/EuFMD
Commission for assistance was answered by the European Union, which provided 500,000
doses of emergency FMD vaccine (A22 Iraq, O and Asia 1).
In this period the same strain of FMD type A was detected in Bahrain, and then Kuwait, with
those identified in Kuwait almost identical to strains found in Iraq in 2009.
In February, the same strain, with close identify to those in Iraq/Kuwait/Iran, was identified
in samples submitted by Libya to the FAO World reference laboratory (WRL) at Pirbright. The
circumstances that gave rise to the entry of this virus are unclear, but this event represents
a major jump for this FMDV strain, suggesting movement through animal trade, as the lack
of pigs in Libya makes entry through livestock products unlikely.
This westward movement of infection into the Mediterranean region should be noted by
countries in the European - Mediterranean region

continues
An intensive collaborative effort (FAO/EuFMD Commission (with support from DG-SANCO),
WRL Pirbright, the FMD Institute in Ankara, Turkey, and the Iran Veterinary Organization) is
ongoing to better understand the spread of strains in the region. The strain involved in
outbreaks in Lebanon is under investigation, and it should be noted that type O is also
endemic in most of the region.
Finally cases of FMD type A (observed 26th January 2009) have been reported to the OIE by
Egypt, as a result of an FAO TCP project working with the Egyptian authorities. The strain
involved is similar to that identified in 2006 following incursion from East Africa (A/EGY/06).
The detection in outbreaks in 2009 suggests establishment of the East African strain in the
Mediterranean region.
The above situation, with two (or more) antigenically distinct FMDV type A viruses in
the eastern Mediterranean should be noted by European countries and each country is
encouraged to review its current risk management measures.

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