Farm based outbreak study and Genetic characterization of O serotype Foot and mouth diseases virus isolated from clinical cases in dairy farms of Welmera district, Central Oromia, Ethiopia

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a trans-boundary viral disease that causes huge economic losses. A field based outbreak study was conducted in September 2016/ 2017 to identify and genetically characterize O serotype from clinical and asymptomatic cases at Welmera district Menagesha kolobo kelebe of central Oromia. The investigation was purposively conducted in the respective farms where outbreak occurred. Accordingly, 50 dairy cattle were clinically examined and about 20 (40%) animals showed sign and clinical lesions of the disease. Accordingly, active epithelial tissues and probang samples were taken from acutely and severely infected animals for virus isolation, typing and genetic detection. These clinical samples were processed for antigen typing and O serotype was isolated from clinical and asymptomatic cases in the farm. The genetic material of this strain was tested by rRT- PCR and the viral genome was detected in the epithelial tissues and probang samples. In conclusion, the study showed that O serotype was circulating in the district. Therefore, foot and mouth disease control should be established based on the availability of potent and matched vaccines against the circulating field strains.