Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Livestock in Ethiopia: Findings From a National Surveillance (2016-2023).

BACKGROUND

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that poses a severe threat to global livestock production and food security. In Ethiopia, the disease is endemic, with multiple circulating serotypes (O, A, SAT1, and SAT2) significantly impacting the agricultural economy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of FMD across livestock populations in Ethiopia and identify associated risk factors to inform effective, evidence-based control strategies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted between 2016 and 2023. A total of 19,699 serum samples were collected from cattle, sheep, and goats across all regional states using a systematic sampling design. Antibodies against the FMD virus 3ABC protein were detected using Non-Structural Protein (NSP) ELISA. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, univariable analysis, and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall FMD seroprevalence was 22% (4,341/19,699). Prevalence varied significantly by region, with the highest in Gambella (56.8%), followed by SNNPR (25.6%) and Oromia (23.7%), and the lowest in Amhara (14.6%). By species, cattle (23.9%) and sheep (22.3%) exhibited higher infection rates compared to goats (5.6%). Regional location (specifically Gambella) was identified as a significant risk factor (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.36-0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings confirm the endemic nature of FMD across all Ethiopian regional states and production systems. Cattle serve as the primary maintenance species, with age, species, and regional movement patterns acting as key drivers of viral circulation.

RECOMMENDATIONS: There is an urgent need for risk-based surveillance and targeted vaccination strategies, particularly along major livestock trade routes and in districts with intensive inter-herd mixing. Implementing these spatially and epidemiologically informed control measures is essential to reducing the burden of FMD, protecting pastoralist livelihoods, and enhancing national food security and livestock export potential.