Two FMD Serotypes Circulating in Vietnamese Pigs

May 30, 2006 — 

Recent reports to the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) appear to confirm the circulation of two different serotypes of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus in pigs in the ongoing outbreak in Vietnam.

According to reports, FMD serotype O has been diagnosed in Vietnam annually since 2002 and has been implicated in the latest outbreak spreading across the country. However, recent findings from the World Reference Laboratory for FMD at Pirbright in the UK confirm the presence of an additional serotype, Asia 1, as well. Serotype O appears to be the dominant serotype in the majority of cases and deaths in pigs, resulting in an exceptionally high case fatality rate of approximately 66 percent, while Asia 1 has been associated with only 7 pigs of which 3 have died.

This latest outbreak, which began in January 2006, has involved swine, cattle and buffaloes in 330 communes and 114 districts in 32 provinces. There have been 30,724 cases reported resulting in 10,708 deaths with swine accounting for most of the cases (15,877) and mortality (10,541).

Source:
ProMED-mail, May 30, 2006