Published Date: 2021-03-12 12:19:40
Subject: PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease - Israel (03): (HZ) cattle, spread
Archive Number: 20210312.8243802
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE - ISRAEL (03): (HAZAFON) CATTLE, SPREAD
A ProMED-mail post http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 11 Mar 2021
Source: Israel's Veterinary Services (VSAH) website, notifications [in Hebrew, trans., abridged, edited]
https://www.moag.gov.il/vet/Yechidot/VetBasade/Pirsumim/2021/Documents/pe-tlafaim-10-3-2021.pdf
On Mon 8 Mar 2021, samples obtained from beef cattle in Tuba-Zangariyye, suspected of FMD, were received in the Kimron Veterinary Institute at Beit-Dagan. The Institute's FMD laboratory has confirmed FMD by PCR, followed by virus growth in tissue culture.
A protection zone (3 km [1.9 mi]) and a surveillance zone (10 km [6.2 mi]) have been established around the outbreak.
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[The location of Tuba-Zangariyye (2 merged Bedouin settlements combined) is presented on the map at https://goo.gl/maps/nQWigEXLU5Aa6So19.
FMD is known to present a seasonal pattern in Israel, though not occurring every year. During the 45-year period 1975-2019, the disease was absent in 13 years. Primary cases were restricted to the period between November-June, outbreaks peaking April-May. See 2 graphs, addressing the said periods, on page 23 of VSAH's annual report for 2019, available at https://www.moag.gov.il/vet/dochot-shnatiim/Documents/doch_shnati_2019.pdf (in Hebrew; graphs include titles in English).
Israel's FMD policy includes annual vaccination of cattle, sheep, and goats. Most cases are seen in young unvaccinated animals, in adult animals whose previous vaccination had taken place long before, or those not vaccinated for various reasons. The vaccination history of the currently affected cattle remains to be noted.
The first two FMD outbreaks this season were reported on 5 Jan 2021, involving 2 commercial animal operations (housed dairy cattle and dairy goats) in western Galilee, adjacent to the border with South Lebanon ( 20210107.8079606). Additional outbreaks (beef cattle in pasture and fattening calves) have been reported during January (2021), similarly along the Lebanese border, of which 6 in cattle (beef cattle in pasture and fattening calves) and one involving a fallow deer (found dead; 20210127.8141870).
The causative agent, genotyped O/ME-SA/PanAsia-2, is -- likely -- circulating in southern Lebanon and probably in south west Syria and/or elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean. Wild boars are abundant on both sides of the international fencing structure between Israel and neighboring Lebanon/Syria. It will be interesting to note if such animals have recently been sampled and tested. Swine are notoriously known as prolific emitters of airborne FMD virus. Wild boars may serve as an intermediate FMD virus transmitter. - Mod.AS
HealthMap/ProMED map of Israel: http://healthmap.org/promed/p/68231.]