Foot and Mouth Disease in Nigeria- The Current Status and Control Efforts

Full text

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page11
Foot and Mouth Disease in Nigeria- The Current Status and Control Efforts
Olabode, H.O.K1,2*., Kazeem, H. M2., Raji, M.A2., and Ibrahim, N.D.G2
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja
2Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
*Corresponding author: olabodeok@yahoo.com
Rec.Date:
Feb 05, 2014 23:14
Accept Date:
May 14, 2014 21:24
Abstract
Foot and mouth disease (FMD), is a highly contagious viral trans-boundary disease of both domestic and
wild cloven hoofed animals characterized by high morbidity and decreased livestock productivity, while
affected countries are being excluded from international animal trade. The first Nigerian reported and
typed outbreak was in the early '50s amongst herds from the North-East with subsequent reports around
the country. These reports confirm endemicity of FMD with serious economic losses due to serotypes A
and SAT 2 outbreaks. In an update of FMD by Nwanta and Ojemiren in 1999, serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and
SAT 2 were reported as been responsible for disease outbreaks in Northern Nigeria. Antibodies to SAT1
and SAT2 serotypes have also been demonstrated, while Knowles and his colleagues in 2008 reported
serotype O and SAT2 from outbreaks. These findings updated the information on the FMD World
Reference laboratory, (Pirbright, UK) data base which stated that serotypes O, A, SAT1 and SAT2 have
been circulating in Nigeria in the last 54 years (1955-2009). Early detection is essential for effective
control and requires rapid, sensitive method of viral serotype diagnosis that is responsible for the
outbreak and selection of an appropriate emergency vaccine which is currently unavailable in Nigeria.
This challenge forced the local herdsmen to seek for self-help medication (herbs) and a few seek the
expertise of Veterinary personnel while others practice the concept called “Dashse” characterized by
guarded prognosis due to absence of cross immunity amongst serotypes. Fostered collaboration with
development partners as well as neighboring affected countries in areas of control is thus suggested.
Key words: Foot and mouth disease, status, control efforts, Nigeria
Introduction
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) also known as ‘aphthous fever’ or ‘infectious aphthous stomatitis’ is a
highly contagious viral transboundary disease of both domestic and wild cloven hoofed animals (Di
Nardo et al., 2011), characterized by the formation of vesicles in the buccal and gastrointestinal tract
(rumen) mucosa, skin, especially between and above the claws of the feet, teats and udder (Kitching,
2002). Mortality is usually low, the disease decreases livestock productivity and participation in
international trade of animals and animal products (Domingo et al., 2002). FMD virus (FMDV) consist of
a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome of approximately 8,500 bases, belonging to the Family

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page12
Picornaviridae encoded as a large polyprotein, that is cleaved into the structural proteins and
nonstructural proteins (Shao et al., 2010). There are 7 (seven) distinct serotypes which include Type A, O,
C (European types), South African types (SAT1, SAT2, SAT3) and Asiatic Type. Within the serotypes,
many strains can be identified by biochemical and immunological tests (OIE, 2008). The cumulative
incidence of FMD serotypes showed that six of the seven serotypes of FMD (O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2,
SAT-3) have occurred in Africa, while Asia still contends with four sero-types (O, A, C, Asia-1), South
America with only three (O, A, C) and periodically there have been incursions of SAT-1 and SAT-2 from
Africa into the Middle East (Rweyemamu et al, 2008). Rapid and sensitive method of diagnosis is
essential for early detection and effective control. In addition to the classical techniques of viral isolation
in tissue culture and antigen detection by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-PCR has
become established as a reliable, fast and sensitive method of early diagnosis (Kitching, 1992) and
serotype identification of FMD outbreak for selection of an appropriate emergency vaccine.
History of Foot and Mouth Disease in Nigeria
The earliest recorded history of FMD in Nigeria dated back to 1924 when the colonial government was
setting up the Nigeria’s embryonic veterinary service (Anon, 1925). Before that period, FMD probably
existed in Nigeria but was not documented. FMD was detected and diagnosed clinically among trade
cattle in Borno Province in 1929 (Anon, 1929). Subsequently, the disease spread widely throughout the
country amongst trade cattle along several trade routes in northern-Nigeria with little or no control
measure being instituted (Anon, 1943). This resulted in sporadic outbreaks in young stocks especially
during the dry season in the forties, (1946, 1947 and 1948) (Abegunde, 1987). In 1957, outbreak reports
revealed serotype O was introduced by trade cattle from highland of Mambilla Plateau from the
Cameroon spreading the disease to the Benue province (Anon, 1959). In 1960, the disease maintained
mild epizootic status in the north eastern part of the country amongst trade cattle spreading along cattle
routes with serotype A causing the outbreaks and the introduction of SAT 2 from animals from Chad
which was subsequently isolated from severe outbreaks in the region. Review of FMD situation in Africa
reported outbreaks in Northern Nigeria and none in the Eastern and Western parts of the country (Libeau,
1960). During the early-mid sixties, as the collection and dispatch of field samples to World Reference
Laboratory, Pirbright improved, outbreak viral isolation indicated serotype A in Adamawa Province,
serotype O in Bauchi Province, SAT1 in Bauchi, Borno, and Zaria Provinces while SAT2 was isolated in
Zaria Province (Anon, 1965). Reviews of FMD outbreaks in Nigeria (Owolodun, 1971; Anon, 1975;
Nwathe and Goni, 1976 and Asagba, 1982) documented that little information was available on FMD in
Nigeria. These reviews tend to indicate that FMD virus distribution and outbreak occurrence was limited

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page13
to the Northern states of the country amongst trade cattle moving down south. However, in the early-mid
70’s, investigations revealed outbreaks in the Western (Anon, 1974) and South-Eastern Nigeria with
Serotype A and SAT 2 documented to be active in the outbreaks (Nawathe and Goni, 1976; Durojaiye,
1981). Questionnaire update confirmed serotype O, SAT1 and SAT2 while serological survey using Virus
infection antigens (VIA) and 146S whole virion antigen and indirect ELISA revealed overall incidence
and prevalence of 9.8% and 55% respectively (Abegunde, 1987). Update status of FMD by Nwanta and
Ojemiren, (1999), indicated serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and SAT 2 have been responsible for disease
outbreaks in Northern Nigeria. Chuwuedo et al., (2008) demonstrated antibodies to SAT1 and SAT 2
serotypes, while Knowles et al., (2008) reported serotype O and SAT2 from outbreaks. Recent review
confirmed serotypes, O, A, SAT1 and SAT2 have being circulating in the country in the last 54 years
(1955-2009) (Olabode, 2012). Serological surveys conducted between 2009 and 2011 in six Border States
and two other states that host the major cattle trek showed increasing sero-prevalence in cattle sampled
from Jos south LGA in Plateau state (56.3%) Ishola et al., (2011), Yobe State (82%), Plateau (80%),
Ogun (77.77%), Taraba (73.50%), Adamawa (68%), Borno (67%), Sokoto (63%) cattle and Bauchi
27.84% for only sheep and goat (Lazarus et al., 2012) as well as Kwara (75.11%) (Olabode et al., 2013)
as these reports confirmed increased disease endemicity with outbreaks been experienced annually due to
absence of cross-immunity and heterogeneity amongst serotypes (Abdulkadir, 1989). In spite of the
annual disease burden, sero-typing and molecular studies for FMD infections are inadequate due to poor
understanding of the epidemiology of FMD in Nigeria. Hence, occurrence and distribution pattern of the
known serotypes still remains unexploited and poorly understood.
FMDV Status in Nigeria
Serotype
Year of occurrence
Untyped
1920
O
1955, 1958, 1963, 1975, 2007, 2009
A
1961-1962, 1964 -1968, 1970 -1972, 1974-1976, 1979, 2009
C
(NIL)
Asia 1
(NIL)
SAT1
1963-1964, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1979-1981
SAT2
1963, 1973, 1975, 1981-1982, 2007-2008
SAT3
(NIL)
Source: FMD molecular genotyping http://www.wrlfmd.org/fmd genotyping/africa/nig.htm

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page14
Challenges
In times past, lack of political will on the part of the Nigerian government to entrench control of FMD as
a national priority, largely due to high financial requirement worsened the lingering and devastating
impact on cattle production business in Nigeria.
The none reporting of disease outbreaks (Durojaiye, 1981) due to inefficient disease reporting system in
the Nigeria (Chukwuedo et al.,2003) and this has made planning for prevention and control of the disease
very difficult (Chukwuedo et al., 2008).
The lack of biosecurity as a result of the normadic /semi intensive management styles practiced by the
Fulani herdsmen as well as the fragmented structure of land holdings in Nigeria favoring cross infection
due cattle movements and sharing of other common service providers.
The advocated quarantine procedure at the various International, National and interstate livestock control
post and control of movement which are the most feasible methods of control were unsuccessful largely
due to un-controlled trading practice where cattle are moved from one market to another over a long
distance of 2-3 or more ECOWAS member states. This quarantine method was also saddled with such
difficulties as inadequate Veterinary staff for policing of interstate and National borders (Durojaiye,
1981).
Control Efforts
Since the advent of FMD in Nigeria attempts to control the disease has been based on quarantine and
restriction of trade cattle movement. The absence of a coordinated national surveillance for FMD in
Nigeria compounded with the insufficient information on the serotype occurrence and distribution has
hampered the successful development and production of localized indigenous Foot and mouth disease
vaccine for the control of the disease through vaccination (Olabode, et al., 2011). Although Limited scope
of vaccination was conducted using imported vaccines made from non Nigerian serotype A, SAT1 and
SAT2 viruses in some farms (Anon, 1977) which did not achieve desired effect under the Nigerian
conditions (Mowat et al., 1975; Nawathe and Majiyagbe, 1981). However, Mowat et al., (1975) and
Preston et al., (1982) showed suitable vaccine could be made from Nigerian strains and Nicholls et al.,
(1983) reported satisfactory protection of Nigerian cattle using inactivated vaccines formulated with
Nigerian strains with revaccination within interval of six months. This vaccine was not however used on a
large scale for the control of FMD in Nigeria as outbreaks continued to occur (Abegunde, 1987). This
ushered in FMD control efforts of the pastoralist through a local concept called “Dashse” based on their

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page15
existing veterinary knowledge. This gave promising result which was not sustainable due to absence of
cross-immunity between serotypes (Abdulkadir, 1989). Sub-stained clinical practice over several decades,
amongst Veterinary personnel and livestock superintendents involved treatment of secondary bacterial
infections associated with open FMD sores using parenteral antibiotics. However, success stories of
clinical bovine FMD outbreak management in institutional farms was observed using 1% formalin or
10% Sodium bicarbonate solutions as debring agent for the oral and foot vesicles or blisters, thus
restoring the ability of cattle to feed/graze and walk as reported (Ogunjumo, 2004). Although, field
efficacy evaluation studies for this management regiment in commercial Fulani herds is ongoing. Other
mythological management practice adopted by some pastoralist to curb the course FMD include the use
of herbs plus other ingredients such as honey, pepper, salts, and cooked onion leaves (Chukwedo et al.,
2007). Finally, clinically un-responsive and un-productive cattle are usually culled by the herdsmen.
Currently, no indigenous Nigerian strain vaccines are available (Olabode, 2012) with limited vaccination
option amongst pastoralists due to the high cost of non-Nigerian vaccines.
Conclusion
Foot and mouth disease is still a serious and endemic problem of trade and production cattle in Nigeria
that require urgent attention in order to salvage the non robust cattle population as well as enhance the
financial capabilities and livelihood of the pastoralist and cattle trading partners of West African sub
region.
Recommendations
International collaboration with development partners (FAO and OIE), Regional laboratories and other
relevant stakeholders for the control FMD is therefore suggested. This would facilitate and upgrade
laboratory standard through the provision of equipment as well as training of both field and laboratory
personnel thus enhancing effectiveness of national surveillance and identification of current existing
serotypes that would bring about indigenous FMD vaccine production.
References
1. Abegunde AA (1987). Studies on the epidemiology of foot and mouth disease in Nigeria, PhD
Thesis. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria: 124-126 Pp.
2. Abdulkadir IA (1989). Diseases caused by Foot and Mouth Disease Virus In: Infectious diseases
of Livestock in Nigeria. Ahmadu Bello University Press Limited, Nigeria. ISBN –978-125-064-X.
pp. 205-209.
3. Anonymous (1925). Annual Report of Veterinary Department, Federation of Nigeria, Lagos
4. Anonymous (1929). Annual Report of Veterinary Department. Federation of Nigeria, Lagos
5. Anonymous (1943). Annual Report of Veterinary Department. Federation of Nigeria, Lagos

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page16
6. Anonymous (1959). Annual Report of Federal Department of Veterinary Research Vom
7. Anonymous (1965). Annual Report of Federal Department of Veterinary Research Vom
8. Anonymous (1974). Foot and Mouth Disease in Nigeria Bulletin International Office of
Epizootics (1975) 82 (22): 59-66
9. Anonymous (1975). Foot and Mouth Disease in Nigeria XIVth Conference of OIE Commission
on FMD. Report No. 308, Paris 1975
10. Anonymous (1977). Outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. Federal Department of Veterinary
Research, Vom
11. Anonymous (2012) FMD status in Nigeria http://www.wrlfmd.org/fmd genotyping/africa/nig.htm
12. Asagba E (1982). Bulletin International office of Epizootics 2 (82), Proceeding 16th Conference
of the (OIE) Commission on FMD September 1982
13. Chukwuedo AA, Abegunde A and Gomwalk NE (2003). Studies on current status of foot and
mouth disease virus in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology 14 (1):22-28.
14. Chukwuedo AA, Nimzing L, Abegunde A and Gomwalk NE (2007). Losses due to Foot and
Mouth disease outbreaks in Nigerian livestock. Animal Production Research Advances 3 (3):
254-255.
15. Chukwuedo AA, Nimzing L, Olabode AO and Abegunde A (2008). Prevalence of Foot and
Mouth disease Virus, SAT 1 and SAT 2 serotype antibodies in Nigerian cattle. Animal
Production Research Advances 4 (2): 157-160.
16. Di Nardo A, Knowles NJ, Paton DJ (2011). Combining livestock trade patterns with
phylogenetics to help understand the spread of foot and mouth disease in sub-Saharan Africa, the
Middle East and Southeast Asia. Review Science Technical Office International Epizootics, 30
(1): 63-85
17. Domingo E, Baranowski E, Escarmís C and Sobrino F (2002). Foot-and-mouth disease virus.
Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 25: 297-308.
18. Durojaiye AO (1981): Incidence of Foot and Mouth Disease in Oyo state of Nigeria. Nigerian
Veterinary Journal 10: 7-13.
19. Ishola OO, Wungak YS, Olugasa, BO, David, LD, Ekong PS (2011): Serological survey of Foot
and Mouth disease in cattle in Jos south local government area of Plateau state. Vom Journal
Veterinary Science 8: 16-21
20. Kitching RP (1992). Foot and Mouth disease. In: Bovine medicine: Diseases and husbandary of
cattle (A.H Andrews, R.W. Blowey, H.Boyd, and R.G Eddy, eds). Oxford, Blackwell science
Inc.Malden and oxford. Pp. 537-543.
21. Kitching RP (2002). Identification of foot and mouth disease virus carrier and sub-clinically
infected animals and differentiation from vaccinated animals. Review of Science Technology 21:
531-538.
22. Knowles NJ, Ebert K and Wadswotth J (2008). Molecular epidemiology reports on foot and
mouth disease virus serotypes O and SAT2 from Nigeria in 2007-2008. Molecular epidemiology
reports from IAH-P-EP-MEG-FOR-005, FAO, WRLFMD
23. Lazarus DD, Schielen WJG, Wungak Y, Kwange D, Fasina FO (2012) Sero-epidemiology of
foot-and-mouth disease in some Border States of Nigeria Africa Journal Microbiology Research
6 (8): 1756-1761
24. Libeau J (1960). Foot and Mouth Disease in Africa South of the Sahara-the present position.
Bulletin for Epizootic Diseases in Africa 8:152-158.
25. Mowat GN, Prince MJ, Hilaray O and Taylor WP (1975). Result of a small field trial in Nigeria
cattle of foot and mouth disease vaccine produced from local virus strains. Bulletin International
Office of Epizootics 83 (2-3): 283-296
26. Nawathe DR and Goni M (1976). Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Nigeria. Bulletin for Animal Health
Production in Africa 24: (1) 1-4.

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE
Vol 4(2) May’14
Hosted@www.ijlr.org
Page17
27. Nawathe DR and Majiyagbe KA (1981). The control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease by vaccination
in Nigeria. Nigerian Veterinary Journal 10: 14-17.
28. Nicholls MJ, Rweyemamu MM, Okeke EN and Shidali NN (1983). “The control of FMD by
vaccination. Consideration for Nigeria” Research in Science and Technology (OIE) 2: 771-780
29. Nwanta JA and Ojemiren FO (1999). Epidemiology of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in
northern states of Nigeria. Up-date In: Proceedings of the 36th Annual Congress of the National
Veterinary Medical Association held in Kaduna, 25th -29th October 1999. Pp 11-18.
30. Office International for Epizootics (OIE) (2008). Foot and mouth disease In: OIE Terrestrial
Manual Chapter 2.1.5, 190-215.
31. Olabode HOK, Kazeem HM, Raji MA and Ibrahim NDG (2011). Molecular Studies of Foot and
Mouth Disease Virus in Kwara state North-Central Nigeria. A PhD seminar presented to the Staff
and Students of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
32. Olabode HOK (2012). Foot and Mouth disease in Nigeria: The current status and control efforts.
A Paper presented at the Global Foot and Mouth Disease Research Alliance workshop organized
by ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, held at Hazy-view, Kurger National Park, South
Africa on the 17th - 19th April, 2012. Available at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/GFRA/presentations/Session3/3.4OlabodeFMD%20POWERPOINT.pdf
33. Olabode HO, Kazeem HM, Raji MA, Ibrahim ND (2013). Sero-prevalence of Foot and Mouth
Disease Virus antibodies in trade cattle (Bos Indicus) in Kwara state-Nigeria. Veterinary World, 6
(10): 828-832 doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2013.828-832
34. Owolodun BY (1971). Foot and Mouth Disease and Virus types distribution in Nigeria. Bulletin
Epizootics Disease Africa 19:257-261.
35. Ogunjumo SO (2004). Management of Clinically infected bovine foot and mouth disease in
institutional farm. Personal communication
36. Preston KJ, Owen H and Mowat G (1982). Source of variation encountered during selection and
production of three strains of foot and mouth disease virus for development of vaccine for use in
Nigeria. Journal of Biological Standardization 10: 35-45
37. Rweyemamu M, Roeder P, Mackay D, Sumption K, Brownlie J, Leforban Y, Valarcher JF,
Knowles NJ and Saraiva, V. (2008). Epidemiological Patterns of Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Worldwide. Journal of Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 55: 57–72.
38. Shao J, Hui-yun C, Guang-qing Z, Guo-zheng C, Jun-zheng D, Tong L, Shan-dian G, Ji-jun H,
Xiang-tao L, Ji-xing L and Jin-liang G (2010). RT Rapid Detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Virus by Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP)
International Journal Applied Research Veterinary Medicine 8: (2) 133-140.