Particular concern surrounds the situation in China, where the SAT-1 serotype has been detected for the first time. In late March, around 140 cases were identified among 513 head of cattle at a livestock market in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. All animals were culled to contain the outbreak. According to WOAH, the source of the virus remains unknown, complicating further risk assessment.
In Central Asia, disease control is challenged by cross-border animal movements and the limited effectiveness of existing vaccines against this serotype. At the same time, reports indicate significant livestock losses in Russia, where, according to unofficial data, tens of thousands of animals may have been culled since the beginning of the year.
In Europe, the virus continues to spread, particularly in Cyprus, where 85 outbreaks have been recorded over two months. In recent weeks, an additional 35 cases have been confirmed, including the first detection in pigs — on a farm near Nicosia with around 4,000 animals. In total, more than 41,000 animals have been infected, with over 32,000 culled to control the disease.
Greece is also facing a resurgence of FMD after more than 30 years without cases. Since mid-March, around 440 infections have been reported across 22 farms, mainly in sheep. All outbreaks have been concentrated on the island of Lesbos, already causing significant economic damage to the local livestock sector.
First-time detections have also been reported in the Palestinian territories, where the SAT-1 virus was confirmed in March. The disease is also spreading in southern Africa, including Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa, with some regions experiencing re-emergence after extended disease-free periods — highlighting the difficulty of controlling FMD.
FMD remains one of the most contagious viral diseases affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. While it poses no direct threat to human health, its economic impact is substantial — from productivity losses and mass culling to disruptions in international trade.
WOAH emphasizes that effective containment requires a systemic approach, including strengthened early detection, continuous surveillance, control of animal movements, and transparent reporting of outbreaks. International coordination is particularly critical, as the spread of new serotypes beyond traditional regions indicates growing global risks for the livestock sector.
Overall, the current FMD situation represents not only an epizootic challenge but also a significant economic threat to agriculture, with potential implications for food security and market stability worldwide.
PigUA.info based on feedstrategy.com