Clinical investigation and risk factor analysis for foot and mouth disease outbreak in farm ruminants at Uttarakhand

The study describes clinical investigation of foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks (n=11) with analysis of associated risk factors in six districts of Uttarakhand during July 2021 to December 2021. The clinical materials (n=100) were collected from the FMD suspected hosts for laboratory diagnosis. Investigation includes scoring of severity of clinical signs and lesions in cattle, laboratory diagnosis and risk factor analysis. Classical clinical signs and lesions were noticed in cattle and buffalo but subtle signs were manifested by goats. The scoring of severity of clinical signs and lesions in cattle were conducted and reduction of milk yield obtained a highest scored. Total ten outbreaks in farm ruminants were confirmed and detected FMDV serotype O. For outbreak in Pithoragarh district animals were diagnosed to be positive for FMDV non-structural protein (NSP) antibodies suggestive of recent exposure of FMDV to animals. FMD outbreaks were reported at hills, foot-hills and plain area of the state. The mean disease course was observed to be of significantly longer in hills (26.33±4.50 days) compared to plains (16.25±3.14 days). The risk factors were statistically categorized at 3 risk levels namely; low, moderate and high. The movement of animals and human activity were categorized as high risk factors for disease introduction and spread in this state. The outbreaks in farm ruminants were investigated to be caused by serotype O FMDV, circulating predominantly in study area. The preparedness towards the risk factors especially animal movement and human activities associated with disease outbreak should be undertaken by local animal health authority to reduce the spread of the disease.