Foot-and-Mouth Disease in North-Western Syria: Insights from Immunoglobulins Research

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Ist Zooprofilatt Sperimentale Lombardia & Emilia R, Department of Animal Health, Brescia, Italy, have shed light on the circulation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in north-western Syria. The study, which was funded by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), The Qatar Charity, and the European Union (EU), aimed to investigate the prevalence of FMD in the region and the effectiveness of a vaccination campaign implemented in 2021.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study revealed a significant increase in reporting of FMD clinical cases in dairy cattle in the region since 2021, leading to a vaccination campaign targeting 35 subdistricts in the governorates of Aleppo and Idleb.
  • Post-vaccination monitoring revealed the presence of antibodies in 22.6% of the animals, directed towards viral nonstructural proteins (NSPs), indicating a previous infection likely due to a recent exposure.
  • The study found a good antibody response to the Asia1 serotype following vaccination but an insufficient antibody response to serotypes A and O.
  • Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between high titers detected for serotype O and positivity towards the NSP of the virus.
  • The research concluded that the recent circulation of serotype O in the area under consideration was suggested by the results.
  • The study included a sample of 886 animals and was conducted over a period of 2 months from the date of vaccination.

Statistics:

  • 22.6% of the animals tested positive for antibodies against FMD virus nonstructural proteins (NSPs).
  • 35 subdistricts in the governorates of Aleppo and Idleb were targeted by the vaccination campaign.
  • The study included a sample of 886 animals.
  • Post-vaccination monitoring was carried out, on average, 2 months from the date of vaccination.
  • 22.6% of the animals had high titers detected for serotype O.

Sources:

  • Trogu, T., et al. "Update On Foot-and-mouth Disease In North-western Syria: Circulating Serotypes and Post-vaccination Monitoring." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, vol. 2025, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.1111/teb.13085.
  • Tiziana Trogu, Ist Zooprofilatt Sperimentale Lombardia & Emilia R, Department of Animal Health, Brescia, Italy.
  • Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1865-1682.