Sero-prevalence and Risk factors

for Outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth

Disease in Uganda

H. Kirunda, N. Muwereza, S.D. Kerfua, P.D. Kasaija,

R. Sande, R. Azabo, C. Ssekitto , P. Emudong, R.

Alingu, J. Walubengo, T. Kabuuka

African Dairy Conference and Exhibition (ESADA), 24th - 26thSeptember 2014,

Kenya International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Uganda continues to suffer inadequate food security

Livestock plays a major role with cattle accounting

for over 60% of the value of edible products in form

of milk and meat

Although very gradual, Uganda continue to achieve

increase in milk production

Trend of milk production in Uganda

Source: FAOSTAT, 2014

-

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Qu

an

tity

(to

nn

es

) o

f m

ilk

pro

du

ce

d

Period (years)

Supply of whole milk in Uganda

Source: FAOSTAT, 2014

-

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Qu

an

tity

(to

nn

es)

of

wh

ole

mil

k s

up

pli

ed

Period (years)

Export of fresh milk from Uganda

Source: FAOSTAT, 2014

-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

To

nn

es

of

ex

po

rte

d m

ilk

Period (years)

6Nganda cattleSmall East African Zebu cattle

Ankole cattle

Nganda cattle

Challenge of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

The dairy industry is however highly jeopardized by trans-

boundary animal diseases including foot-and-mouth disease

(FMD)

FMD is a

contagious viral

disease that

continues to

ravage different

countries in the

world

Economic implications of FMD

The disease causes adverse effects on economies

of affected countries:

losses in household income

Restriction in access to international markets

Costs are also met through the measures put in

place to control an outbreak

Average loss per cattle head US$123

In cattle sero-prevalence of the different serotypes is:

O = 61%

A = 33%

SAT 1 = 70%

SAT 2 = 34%

SAT 3 = 12%

FMD in Uganda

In goats and sheep the serotype O and SAT were

identified with sero-prevalence of;

Goats =14%

Sheep = 22%

Serotype O has been identified and characterized

by molecular methods

FMD in Uganda Cont’d

Although government has made

efforts to control FMD, the disease

outbreaks have continued to occur

across the country

Currently, outbreaks are in 32 out

of the 112 districts of Uganda

This study sought to identify the

risk factors associated with

outbreaks of FMD in Uganda

Control of FMD

Study areas

The 2-month cross-sectional study was carried out in seven

districts with during FMD outbreaks in the country

These included;

2 districts in central

1 district in western

4 districts in eastern

A structured questionnaire was administered to heads or

animal attendants in 384 farm households

Materials and methods

Sera were taken and data captured from 516 study cattle with

observed FMD clinical signs recorded

Sera analysis was done by cELISA for functional proteins to

ascertain exposure

Analysis was done using FMDV Non-Structural protein ELISA

Kit for antibodies against the non-structural 3ABC proteins of

FMDV

Statistical analysis was done at univariate, bivariate and

multivariate levels for proportions, relationships and strength of

associations using logistic regression (at 95% CI)

Materials and methods Cont’d

Results: Demographic characteristics

Region Freq Age

<6m-1 Yr 1-2 Yrs 2-3 Yrs 3-5 Yrs 6>5yr

Central 111 9.9% 11.7% 19.8% 54.1% 4.5%

East 364 5.8% 8.0% 8.2% 33.5% 44.5%

West 41 17.1% 7.3% 31.7% 43.9% 0.0%

Total 516 7.6% 8.7% 12.6% 38.8% 32.4%

Region Frequency Breed

Local Cross

Central 111 33.3% 66. 7%

East 364 72.2% 27.7%

West 41 53.7% 46.3%

Total 516 62.4% 37.6%

Results: Demographic characteristics

Region Frequency Sex

Female Male

Central 111 93.7% 6.3%

East 364 79.9% 20.1%

West 41 97.6% 2.4%

Total 516 84.3% 15.7%

Region Freq Herd size (%)

1-20

cattle

20-40

cattle

40-60

cattle

60-80

cattle

>80

cattle

Central 111 4.5% 33.4% 26.1% 22.5% 13.5%

East 364 20.6% 36.8% 20.6% 0.0% 22.0%

West 41 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100%

Total 516 15.5% 33.1% 20.2% 4.8% 26.4%

Results: Demographic characteristics

Average sero-prevalence was 27.5% (CI: 23.8 - 31.5)

Herds of cattle moved for more 2 km per day (OR=4.4,

95% CI: 1.21 - 16.0)

Cattle allowed frequent assess to slaughter sites

(OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.13 - 4.70)

Keeping cattle in kraals in muddy condition for months

(OR=5.1, 95% CI: 0.63 – 41.4)

Introduction of new animal in the herd (OR=0.1, 95% CI:

0.03 - 0.35)

Results: Risk Factors

There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood

of introduction to and spread of FMD in cattle in Uganda

Conclusion

Recommendation

Study results could be used in development of improved

strategies for control of FMD in the country

Information on the identified risk factors could be useful in

improving veterinary and livestock management practices

National Animal Diseases Diagnostic and

Epidemiology Cetre (NADDEC)/MAAIF

District Veterinary staff

Farmers in participating districts

Acknowledgments

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