W. Chikurunhe - Does the african buffalo really spread FMD? A sero-survey of FMD in cattle around mana pools conservation park of northern Zimbabwe

Session: Africa EPI-NET

Open Session of the EuFMD – 2018 – Increasing Global Security in the supply of effective vaccines – 29-31 October 2018 -Borgo Egnazia, Italy

Introduction
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) has been demonstrated as the main reservoir of the FMD virus serotypes afflicting Southern Africa. Cattle are highly susceptible. In Zimbabwe, the southern provinces frequently report clinical cases of FMD but no clinical disease has been reported from the north despite observed buffalo/cattle contact. Our aim was to describe FMD virus circulation in cattle herds around Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area (LZ-MP TFCA) in order to design FMD management strategies for northern Zimbabwe.

Materials and Methods
The study investigated whether the serological picture in cattle explains buffalo/cattle contact patterns observed at the periphery of LZ-MP TFCA. 1238 cattle sera were collected from 2 districts in a two-stage random sampling protocol. Samples were tested for antibodies to the non-structural protein of FMD virus using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (NSP-ELISA). NSP positive sera were subjected to the Liquid Phase Blocking ELISA (LPBE). Risk factors perceived to influence FMD virus infection in cattle were interrogated using a questionnaire.

Results
3.6% (45/1238) sera tested positive for antibodies to FMD. Positive cases were spread in all three seasons in both districts. SAT 2 and SAT 3 serotypes were confirmed by LPBE (13/45). Distance from game park, hot-dry season, and area of origin were associated with increased risk. The results complement the findings of Jori et al but are at variance with various publications on FMD sero-prevalence at the interface of wild buffalo and cattle in Zimbabwe.

Conclusion
Results confirmed FMD infection in cattle in the periphery of the TFCA and suggest low-level FMD virus circulation which is inconsistent with various published data. There is need for a livestock movement control policy in the north. Factors responsible for low-level FMD virus circulation need further research.

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