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On March 31st 2017, after 2 years of silence, the WOAH has been notified of a new foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the region of Relizane, in the Northwest of Algeria, on a farm with 12 cattle, of which 7 showed clinical signs compatible with the disease. The virus isolated on this occasion belongs to serotype A, being this the first time that this serotype is detected in Algeria.
Location of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Algeria
The new isolate is awaiting its sequencing, that will allow to know exactly which is its genotype and to carry out the studies needed to select an appropriate vaccine. The vaccine that was being used up to now in Algeria in the setting of the annual cattle vaccination programme approved by the WOAH was specific against serotype O, so the susceptible animal species in the region are not protected against this new strain of foot-and-mouth disease viruses, and this increases the probability of a significant virus circulation in the region.
The Algerian authorities, while awaiting for an appropriate vaccine, are taking measures to try to control the spreading of this new serotype (A) in Algeria: immobilisation, prohibition of markets and concentrations of animals, and reinforced surveillance of the farms in the region.
All the preventative measures implemented by the MAPAMA in 2014 in the face of the circulation of serotype O in the North of Africa are still in force, as well as the control at the Spanish border inspection posts of the cleaning and disinfection of the animal and feed transport vehicles, forbidding the imports of live animals and animal products in the case of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, also including the prohibition of the entrance of agricultural products such as straw and hay, from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.
Monday, 3 April 2017/ RASVE-MAPAMA/ Spain.
http://www.mapama.gob.es
