Russia: New type of Foot-and-Mouth Disease found
In the village of Molodezhny, in Priargunsky district a new type of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has been discovered.
In the village, 8 pigs and 190 cattle were affected, while none of the animals have died. Vladimir Mishchenko, chief researcher of the Laboratory and Prevention of Diseases of Pigs and Cattle of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Animal Diseases, went to the region for an epizootic survey.
New causative agent in Russia
Mishchenko stated that the disease is localised in the village and added, “All animals have the disease in a mild form, but because they had already been vaccinated they are therefore immune. However, the problem is that for the first time the causative agent of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which has not previously been registered in our country, has been identified as Type A – the genetic line typical in South-East Asia has been revealed during laboratory studies. Prior to this, such a virus was only found in Korea, Thailand and Viet Nam.”
Currently there are no clear indications as to how the disease came to the territory, as investigations are still under way. The main priority now is to prevent the disease from spreading, and to provide clinical inspection in other areas in order ensure that there is no further occurrence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Vaccinations of animals and disinfection will continue.
