A review of foot-and-mouth disease in Ethiopia: epidemiological aspects, economic implications, and control strategies
Published in Microbiology and Zoology & Veterinary Science
Ethiopia is a country with one of the largest and most diverse livestock populations in Africa. Livestock contributes to about 40% of the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and 16% of the total GDP of Ethiopia. However, the livestock sector is constrained by various factors, such as poor animal health, low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and limited market access. Among the animal health challenges, FMD is one of the most important and widespread diseases in Ethiopia. FMD causes significant economic losses due to reduced milk and meat production, decreased draught power, increased mortality, trade barriers, and control costs.
In our review article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular epidemiology, economic impact, diagnosis, and control measures of FMD in Ethiopia and compare them with the global situation. We summarize the results of previous studies on FMD in Ethiopia, which have revealed that four serotypes (O, A, SAT 1, and SAT 2) are circulating in the country, with serotype O being the most prevalent and widespread. We also discuss the genetic diversity and evolution of FMD viruses in Ethiopia and their implications for vaccine development and selection. We review the current diagnostic methods and their limitations, and we highlight the need for more rapid and sensitive tests that can be used in the field. We evaluate the current control strategies and their challenges, and we propose some recommendations for improving FMD prevention and control in Ethiopia.
We hope that our review article will provide useful information and insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in FMD research and control in Ethiopia and beyond. We also hope that it will stimulate more studies and collaborations on FMD in Ethiopia, especially on the molecular epidemiology, economic impact, and vaccine evaluation of the disease. We believe that a better understanding and management of FMD in Ethiopia will contribute to the improvement of animal health and welfare, the enhancement of livestock productivity and trade, and the achievement of food security and poverty reduction in the country.
My research interests lie in the fields of virology and bacteriology, with a focus on developing vaccines for viral and bacterial diseases that affect animals, particularly zoonotic pathogens and poxviruses. I have extensive experience in diagnosing, preventing, and controlling infectious diseases that impact livestock and poultry health and food security in Ethiopia and other African countries. Some of the diseases that I have studied include vibrio cholerae, anthrax, lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), sheep and goat pox virus (SPPV), goat and sheep pox virus (GTPV), and camel pox virus
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This Collection welcomes original research, reviews, methodologies, and perspectives that advance knowledge on vaccine-preventable viral diseases and the factors influencing vaccine demand and uptake. Topics of interest include viral surveillance and epidemiology, vaccine development and evaluation, immunogenicity and effectiveness, viral evolution and vaccine escape, implementation science, vaccine acceptance and confidence, risk communication, behavioral and social drivers of vaccination, health equity, policy, and strategies to strengthen immunization programs across diverse settings.
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Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Jun 09, 2027
