Status of foot-and-mouth disease in Pakistan.

The present study reports the distribution of different serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in Pakistan during the period 1952-2007. During this time, a total of 1,543 epithelial samples out of 2,484 tested were found positive for various serotypes of FMDV. Serotype O was found to be the most prevalent (p < 0.001) followed by serotype Asia-1 and A. Serotype C was detected only in 1954, 1963 and 1995. The disease was found to be more prevalent (p < 0.0001) in cattle than buffaloes. The geographical distribution of 153 laboratory confirmed FMD outbreaks from 2002 to 2007 and the serotypes of the virus involved has been mapped. Higher number of outbreaks of the disease was noted between the months of January to March during this period, which may be attributed to the livestock movement in the country particularly due to religious festival, Eidul Azha, in which the animals are sacrificed.