Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the Russian Federation, 1991 – 2020: a
retrospective epidemiological analysis
Abstract
Our intention in writing this paper is to conduct a retrospective
epidemiological analysis of foot and mouth disease (hereinafter referred
to as FMD) outbreaks reported in livestock in the Russian Federation
from 1991 to 2020. The paper provides space-time patterns of FMD
outbreaks and describes risk factors, FMD prevention and control
strategies. 97 FMD outbreaks caused by A, O and Asia-1 serotypes were
reported in cattle, small ruminants and pigs in the Russian Federation
in the study period. These outbreaks were mainly concentrated along the
Russian-Chinese border. The analysis reveals a high incidence rate of A
and O serotypes, which accounted for 79% of all outbreaks, as well as a
trend towards forming time-space clusters in 2005 and in 2013-2019.
Sufficient data were collected to identify 9 statistically significant
time-space clusters formed by FMD outbreaks: 3 clusters (the FMDV
serotype A) lasted 27 - 62 days, 4 clusters (the FMDV serotype O) lasted
6 - 27 days, one cluster (the FMDV serotype Asia-1) lasted 125 days, and
a mixed cluster composed of A and O serotypes that lasted 552 days. Risk
factors associated with pathogen introduction were underestimated and it
undermined biosecurity and biosafety when keeping and moving animals. It
has been argued that the underestimation of risk factors is the major
cause of outbreaks. Due to it, direct and indirect contacts with
carriers, including wild migrating [cloven-hoofed
animal](https://www.multitran.com/m.exe?s=cloven-hoofed+animal&l1=1&l2=2)s,
became possible. Based on the work carried out we have come to the
conclusion that developing cross-border cooperation is urgently needed
to prevent and control FMD.