Detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Sub-clinical infection in sheep imported from free zones of Georgia during Hajj season 2009 in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Main Authors: S. M. Ali, M. R. Yousef, S. S. A. Sharawi, M. H. AI-Blowi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Veterinary World 2011-01-01
• Series: Veterinary World
• Subjects: Foot and Mouth Disease virus; Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay; Liquid phase; Blocking ELISA; Non-Structural Protein
• Online Access: http://www.scopemed.org/mnstemps/2/2-1311316284.pdf

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) sub-clinically infected animals, are always a threat to susceptible herds. During Hajj season 2009 (1431 Hijri) the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) imported about 204,583 sheep from FMD free areas from Republic of Georgia through Jeddah Islamic seaport. The animals were clinically free from FMD and authorized as not been previously vaccinated. However, but during the routine laboratory examination of serum samples using FMD-3ABC ELISA some sheep consignments exhibited positivness for FMD anti-bodies. The liquid phase blocking ELISA (LPBE) was performed as a confirmatory test which revealed antibodies against FMD serotype O, the suggesting that animals may be susceptible to FMD infection from any endemic countries passed through during overseas transportation. This study will contribute towards the development of an appropriate strategy for FMD control, including the choice of countries of the animal importation, as well as assist to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of FMD. [Vet. World 2011; 4(9.000): 399-403]