Multiple invasions of O1 FMDV serotype into Israel revealed by genetic analysis of VP1 genes of Israeli's isolates from 1989 to 2007.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), one of the most dangerous viruses affecting cloven-hoofed animals, comprises seven serotypes that do not mutually cross-protect, with a total of about 80 subtypes. The Middle East is an FMD-endemic region, with repeated FMD outbreaks and In spite of its compulsory vaccination policy in Israel, outbreaks occur repeatedly. In order to compare the Israeli isolates, the complete viral VP1 genes of representative viruses isolated during the major outbreaks from 1989 to 2007 were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis, which showed that each outbreak was initiated by introduction of a new virus lineage and not by endemic and resident viruses. The differences between the nucleotide sequences of the viruses from the various outbreaks were too big to fit a model of outbreaks caused by endemic virus. Based on this approach, it was revealed that the 2002 outbreak was originated by viruses that circulated in the Arabian peninsula in 1997-1998.