Foot and Mouth Disease in Somali Eco-system

Foot and mouth Disease (FMD) is an enzootic disease that affects cattle, sheep goats and pigs in most parts of Africa and regular reporting is performed in highland areas where high potential livestock activities are undertaken. This is not the case in lowland areas characterized by low potential and extensive livestock keeping where nomadism is practiced. In this book, FMD causative strains and serotypes in the Somali Eco-system in Kenya, a lowland area were determined and reasons for under-reporting analyzed. Serology results obtained indicated that four main serotypes of FMDV are in circulation in the Somali eco-system namely, O, A, SAT 2 and SAT 1 in order of frequency. Quadrivalent vaccines with the four serotypes are recommended for vaccination. Poor infra-structure among other reasons contributed to poor disease reporting. The survey should help shed light on livestock rearing challenges in this environment. As development agencies and other professionals initiate developments for this region, information on FMD epidemiology will be crucial as it negatively affects livestock trade.

Dr. G.C.Gitao PhD graduated from University of Nairobi and University of Reading UK majoring in Virology. He has published widely in virology and led several projects in Kenya related to viral diseases in animals