Epidemiological characteristics of foot-and-mouth disease in China between 2017 and 2022

Abstract:

[Objective] To reveal the epidemic state and transmission characteristics of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in China based on the data of FMD outbreaks during 2017-2022. [Methods] The spatial, temporal, and susceptible species distribution, the production chain distribution, and the molecular epidemiology and traceability of the epidemic strains in China were analyzed.[Results] A total of 54 FMD outbreaks were reported in 15 provinces between 2017 and 2022. The general situation of FMD in China was stable considering the zero outbreak of serotype Asia 1, no report of serotype A for consecutive four years (2019-2022), and sporadic occurrence of serotype O. During 2017-2022, 36 outbreaks of FMD were reported in cattle, one outbreak in sheep, and 17 outbreaks in pigs. There were five epidemic strains (O/Mya-98, O/Ind-2001, O/CATHAY, O/PanAsia, and A/Sea-97) simultaneously circulating in China, which were closely related to the FMDV strains in surrounding countries (e.g., Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam) during this period. Epidemiological investigation suggested that the outbreaks (especially in cattle, which accounted for 66.7%) mainly occurred in long-distance transport (57%) and backyard (32%) with incomplete vaccination. [Conclusion] In the future, strengthening vaccination and preventing the introduction of foreign strains are still major measures for FMD prevention and control in China.