Abstracts Page 2 - FAD, FMDv, NSP

Developing movement decision criteria and exercising movement plans for livestock grazing public land allotments in and around FAD control areas through collaboration with industry, state, and federal partners

Julia Herman1*, Danelle Bickett-Weddle2, Erica Sanko3, Kaitlynn Glover4, Rebecca Barnett4

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,1Centennial, Colorado, USA & 4 Washington D.C., USA

2 Preventalytics, Ames, Iowa, USA 

3 American Sheep Industry Association, Denver, Colorado, USA 

*Corresponding author – jherman@beef.org 

Background. In a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the United States, sheep and cattle owners face unique challenges to mitigate disease exposure risks on public land allotments. Secure Sheep and Wool Supply and Secure Beef Supply guidance did not previously address nuances for ranchers with livestock grazing public lands. This project provided guidance documents for industry and decision makers to support animal movement decisions. 

Methods. This project was funded by the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program. An advisory group was created to contribute to, review, and exercise guidance documents and promote awareness within their respective industry or agency segment. Guidance documents on managing exposure risks were developed for sheep and cattle grazing public land allotments. Discussion-based exercises were conducted to ensure consensus.

Results. Guidance was provided on movement scenarios to/from public lands impacted by external factors (weather, forage availability, natural disasters, others). Inter-jurisdictional guidance was created and consensus obtained on effective animal movement plans to/from public land grazing in an FMD Control Area. Exposure risks were evaluated along with communication practices between agencies AND agencies to producers to develop practical and useable guidance.

Conclusion. Resources created for producers and decision makers include: Updated Movement Decisions Criteria document; Updated Normal Management Practices/FMD Exposure Risks document; FMD Exposure Questionnaire; and Just-in-time biosecurity steps. A Grazing Public Lands in an FMD Outbreak video was created for education and outreach. All resources are available on the SSWS and SBS Plans websites for FMD biosecurity risk assessment and planning.

Proven performances for FMDv NSP antibody detection with the ID SCREEN® FMD NSP Competitive ELISA

Rafael Forero2, Loïc Comtet1, Mickaël Roche1, Fabien Donnet1, Alix Carpentier1, Philippe Pourquier1

1Innovative Diagnostics, Grabels, France

2IDvet INC, Hampton, USA

Background: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, caused by the FMD virus (FMDv). Differentiating infected from vaccinated herds is crucial after emergency vaccination. Only tests detecting non-structural protein (NSP) antibodies can distinguish between them (DIVA).

Methods: This study reviews the performance of a blocking ELISA kit designed to detect anti-FMDv NSP-specific antibodies. The kit offers overnight and short protocols for same-day results. Specificity was assessed using 2009 sera from non-endemic, non-vaccinated areas in France. Sensitivity was evaluated with the Pirbright Institute's NSP reference panel of 36 sera. The kit’s DIVA capability was tested on 28 animals vaccinated with a purified O monovalent vaccine at 0 and 50 days post-vaccination (dpv). Stability was assessed after 18 months at 21°C.

Results and Discussion:The ELISA demonstrated high specificity (99.7% CI 95%) and sensitivity equivalent or superior to leading ELISAs. DIVA testing confirmed that vaccinated animals remained negative at 0 and 50 dpv, while seroconversion was detected via a type O-specific Solid Phase Blocking ELISA. Stability testing confirmed strong kit performance after extended storage. The Pirbright Institute validated the ELISA, confirming its comparable sensitivity and specificity to the Prionics PrioCHECK® FMDv NS 3ABC test. German ring trials demonstrated high reproducibility and superior specificity.

Conclusion: The ID Screen® FMD NSP ELISA exhibits excellent specificity and sensitivity, accurately detecting strains and carrier animals. Short and overnight protocols enable same-day results, enhancing diagnostic efficiency.

Epidemiology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in The Gambia: awareness, reporting, prevalence, and collection of isolates

Abdou Ceesay1*, Ousman Ceesay1, Lizhe Xu2, Saidal Ali Bah1, Bonto Faburay3

1Department of Livestock Services, Abuko, The Gambia

2U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, NY 11957, USA

3 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Manhattan, KS, USA

*Corresponding author: abdou.sunagie2002@yahoo.com

Background: The livestock sector of The Gambia faces numerous challenges including high disease burden. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is among the most important diseases affecting the sector. A lack of reliable epidemiological data on FMD in the country has contributed to ineffective control programs. This study was proposed to enhance the epidemiological understanding of FMD in The Gambia. The objective was to determine the prevalence and the circulating FMD serotypes within the country. 

Method: The whole country was considered for this study, with cattle, sheep and goats being the target species. 384 serum samples and 52 tissue samples (ruptured vesicles of foot and dental pads) were collected for analysis using ABC ELISA and q-PCR, respectively. A subsample of tissue samples positive by q-PCR were sent to the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) in the USA for sequencing.

Results: High seroprevalences were observed in all the provincial regions: NBR, 70.6%; CRR/N, 77.6%; URR, 47.5%; LRR, 62.9%; CRR/S, 60.3%; WCR, 69.4%. FMD seroprevalence was higher in cattle than in sheep and goats in all regions except GBA. The overall (national) apparent seroprevalence in cattle was higher than in sheep and goats: 63.3%, 15.4%, and 27.0%, respectively. Of the 36 molecular tested samples, FMDV was detected in 17 (47%) of the samples.  

Conclusions: There seems to be a high seroprevalence of FMD in all the regions which clearly shows the endemic nature of FMD in The Gambia. Genetic sequencing by FADDL of tissue samples is ongoing.

Serological Evidence of Potential Marburg Virus Circulation in Livestock and Dogs in Ghana

Theophilus Odoom1*, Sherry Ama Mawuko Johnson2*, William Tasiame3, Meyir Yiryele Ziekah4, Joseph Kofi Abuh1, Benita Anderson2, Fenteng Danso1, Richard Kwamena Abbiw5, Franklin Yegdem Nuokpem5, Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe1, Charles Lewis6, Faburay Bonto6

1Accra Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Services Directorate, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Accra M161, Ghana

2School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

3Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, KNUST, Kumasi, Accra

4Kumasi Zoological Gardens, Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission, Kumasi, Ghana 

5West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

6U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility USDA, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

*Corresponding Author: theodomm@gmail.com / sajohnson@ug.edu.gh 

Introduction: Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a zoonotic hemorrhagic disease with an estimated case fatality rate of up to 88%. Ghana recorded its first human MVD outbreak in June 2022 and although the outbreak was quickly brought under control, the transmission dynamics of the disease remained unclear. We assessed the presence of Marburg virus (MARV) antibodies in livestock and dogs in Ghana. 

Method: Sera from 3113 livestock and dogs in two climatic seasons (rainy and dry seasons) were tested for MARV antibodies using an in-house species-specific modified Indirect ELISA test. The samples were further tested using dot blotting to substantiate the presence of antibodies against MARV glycoprotein (GP). 

Results: Overall, MARV antibodies were detected in 20.6% of the animals. The species-specific prevalence was 28.7% in cattle, 21.8% in sheep, 19.5% in goats, 15.3% in dogs and 11.2% in pigs. The seropositivity was higher in the rainy season [RR 1.5; 95% CI 1.3–1.8] and in older animals [RR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.9–3.4]. 

Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of regular surveillance using the one health approach and future studies into the role of livestock and dogs as potential intermediaries in the circulation of MARV.

Keywords: emerging zoonosis; Marburg virus antibodies; Ghana; Marburg exposure; MARV; livestock

Livestock Mobility in Ghana: A six-year data analysis

Sherry Ama Mawuko Johnson1*, Theophilus Odoom2*, William Tasiame3, Benita Anderson4, Richard Abbiw5, Kingsley Amoako4, Akosua Kumi Nyarko1, Fenteng Danso4, Joseph Abuh4, Meyir Yiryele Ziekah6, and Faburay Bonto7

1University of Ghana School of Veterinary Medicine, CBAS, Legon, Accra, Ghana 

2Accra Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Service Department, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, P.O. Box M16 Accra, Ghana 

3Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, KNUST, Kumasi, Accra, Ghana 

4Veterinary Service Department, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, P.O Box M16 Accra, Ghana 

5West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

6Kumasi Zoological Gardens, Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission, Kumasi, Ghana 

7Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS, USA

*Corresponding author: sajohnson@ug.edu.gh / theodoom@gmail.com 

Introduction: Livestock mobility in West Africa is driven by the demand for meat and livestock products, as well as the survival of animals. However, this movement increases the risk of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) including zoonotic infections. Ghana collects daily livestock mobility data, and this study analyzed six years of data from key border entry points, categorized by species, location, and time.

Method: The study focused on two border entry points to Ghana, Paga in the north and Dzodze in the south, as well as the Turaku livestock market in Accra. Secondary movement data for sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs were extracted from livestock movement permits (LMPs), detailing species, origin, destination, transport mode, volume of movement and permit dates.

Results: Between 2018 and 2023, a total of 22,821 livestock movements were recorded at Paga, primarily from Burkina Faso, with 82.9% destined for Accra (Turaku). Dzodze recorded 5,611 movements (2021–2023), with 84.5% heading to Turaku and 14.4% to Côte d'Ivoire. At Turaku, 40,062 incoming and 16,862 outgoing movements were recorded (2017–2022), mostly from Paga (21.6%) and Dzodze (20.5%). Most livestock were destined for Accra (63.0%) and Ghana’s central region.

Conclusion: Livestock movement occurred fluidly to and through Ghana, as well as to neighboring countries via the northern and southern borders, presenting for potential spread of TADs and zoonotic diseases. A regional approach to disease surveillance is necessary to anticipate and prevent TAD outbreaks. 

Keywords: livestock mobility, Ghana, transboundary animal disease

Molecular epidemiology, serology and Serotyping of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus in outbreaks in Ghana, 2024 

Theophilus Odoom1,2*, Sherry Ama Mawuko Johnson2, William Tasiame3, Kingsley Amoako1, Richard Kwamena Abbiw4, Meyir Yiryele Ziekah5, Joseph Kofi Abuh6, Benita Anderson6, Fenteng Danso6, Xu Lizhe7, Faburay Bonto7*

1Accra Veterinary Laboratory, Veterinary Services Directorate, Accra M161, Ghana 

2School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

3Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, KNUST, Kumasi, Accra, Ghana

4West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

5Kumasi Zoological Gardens, Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission, Kumasi, Ghana

6Veterinary Services Department, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Accra Ghana 

7 Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, APHIS, Plum Island (NY), Manhattan (KS), USA

*Corresponding Author: Bonto.Faburay@usda.gov /  theodoom@gmail.com 

Introduction: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is endemic in West Africa including Ghana. Over the past decade, six of the seven known serotypes have been reported in Africa, except for Asia-1. In Ghana, knowledge of circulating serotypes is limited due to underreporting and lack of thorough investigation of reported cases. This study seeks to investigate and identify the serotypes of FMD causing outbreaks in Ghana.

Method: Sera, epithelial and oral mucosal swabs were obtained from the affected cattle and sheep in outbreak farms, a livestock market and land entry point to Ghana. The samples were tested using serological assays, Real Time PCR, and sequencing. 

Preliminary results: A total of 250 cattle and 4 sheep were tested from 9 regions and 14 districts of the country. Almost half (48.8%; 122) of the cattle tested positive for FMD virus by PCR. None of the sheep tested positive. A high proportion (85.7%; 185/216) of the cattle were FMD seropositive. A phylogenetic analysis identified serotypes, O, A, SAT1 and SAT2. The serotypes SAT1 clustered in distinct clade in the phylogenetic tree as it did not closely match any known topotype, likely indicative of a new topotype in Ghana.

Conclusion: The findings of the outbreak investigation revealed an evolving epidemiology of FMD in Ghana, potentially indicating the presence of new or emerging viral strains. Further studies are required to provide a better understanding of the transmission dynamics for surveillance and targeted control.

Keywords: Foot and Mouth Disease, Serotype SAT 1, Ghana, molecular epidemiology