By: Ty Nimol

Abstract

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is caused by virus of Picornaviridae family, in the genus of Aphtovirus. Foot and Mouth Disease affected all cloven-footed animals, while in Cambodia, cattle, buffalos, pigs and goats are susceptible animals.

Foot and Mouth Disease is an acute, highly contagious disease, which causes high impact on economy such as the direct impact on animal production: animal sickness, formation of vesicles or erosion in the mucosa of the mouth, vesicles on the coronary band, the skin between and above the hoofs and dewclaws, skinny and died; impact on agricultural products: could not use animal for draft power, resulting the impact on agricultural activities; the impact on trade due to the ban of movement of live animal and animal production from FMD infected country to FMD free country. In addition, the impact of sick disease is due to expanses on treatment of sick animals, disease control program on stamping-out infected animals.

The study on Epidemiology, diagnosis and control Measure Against Foot and Mouth Disease in the KingdomCambodia was carried out from January to December 2002 for twelve months. The study was conducted in provinces and municipalities throughout the country, investigated on animal species such as cattle, buffaloes, swine and goats. of

For the study on disease epidemiology, the data sheet on report of FMD status as well as questionnaire on information and spreading of disease was developed. For the study on virus serotype and its distribution among animal species and geographical location, sample (epithelium and vesicle fluid) were collected from 12 cattle of different age groups having FMD symptom originated from Battambang, Kampong Cham and Kampot. For diagnosis, method of Indirect Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for detection of Antigens of FMD virus, Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, UK was introduced.

Result of the research had shown that in 2002, FMD had occurred 63 times in 8 provinces: Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Streng Treng, Battambang, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kratie. As a result, there was 10,435 heads of animals had FMD symptoms of these, 6883 cattle, 602 buffaloes and 2829 pigs. There were 121 dead animals due to FMD infection, of these 31 cattle, 10 buffaloes, and 80 pigs.

Analysis of the research work had shown that spreading of FMD in 2002 was due to 4 factors: FMD is endemic in Cambodia, animal production systems and its management, movement of animal and animal products within and in-out the country and ineffective disease control program as well as ineffective veterinary regulations.

Observation on FMD infected animals had shown the following symptoms: loss appetite, saliva, formation of vesicles on the coronary band, the skin between and above the hoofs, dewclaws, cramping, and loss of weight, abortion. FMD virus serotype O was detected from sample collected from cattle in Battambang, Kampong Cham and Kampot of 1.5-10 ears old, among 66.66% and 33.33% of males and females respectively.

Based on the analysis and result of the study on disease epidemiology, its caused of spreading as well as FMD virus serotype, for the control of FMD in Cambodia effectively, animal vaccination, management the movement of animals and animals productions, extension and education to farmers on disease control, strengthening of veterinary legislations and legislation implementation as well as strengthening of veterinary services. For vaccination against FMD, it is recommend to use bivalent FMD vaccine serotype ASIA I and O, even though, only FMD virus serotype O was detected in 2002 however since 1988, virus serotype ASIA I also detected in Cambodia.

Institution: Royal Academy of Cambodia

Supervisor: Mr. Suon Sothoeun (Ph.D)​

Degree: Master of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine