Malawi (03): (Chikwawa) cattle, not typed, OIE

Report type: immediate notification
Date of start of the event: 7 Aug 2020
Date of confirmation of the event: 14 Aug 2020
Report date: 15 Aug 2020
Date submitted to OIE: 15 Aug 2020
Reason for notification: recurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: 20 Jul 2020
Manifestation of disease: clinical disease
Causal agent: Foot and mouth disease virus
Serotype: Not typed
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory (basic)
This event pertains to the whole country.

New outbreaks (1)
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak location: Kasokeza, Maperera Dip tank, Chikwawa, Southern
Date of start of the outbreak: 7 Aug 2020
Outbreak status: continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: village
Total animals affected
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Killed and disposed of / Slaughtered
Cattle / 13 419 / 12 / 0 / 0 / 0
Affected population: a small holder farming system where communal grazing and watering is done.

Outbreak statistics [rates apparent, expressed as percentages]
Species / Morbidity rate / Mortality rate / Case fatality rate / Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Cattle / 0.09 / 0 / 0 / 0
*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction, and/or slaughter

Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive, illegal movement of animals, contact with infected animal(s) at grazing/watering, fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.), contact with wild species.
Epidemiological comments: this is an FMD endemic zone and sometimes the animals graze or are moved to areas where buffaloes graze during the [drought] months. Also, there are some illegal movements along the border with neighboring countries. 6 blood samples were taken and NSp ELISA was conducted and they all came positive. 2 tissue samples were also taken for further analysis (typing) in Botswana.

Control measures
Measures applied: movement control inside the country; surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone; surveillance within containment and/or protection zone; quarantine; ante- and post-mortem inspections; vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists); no treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied: vaccination in response to the outbreak(s); control of wildlife reservoirs; disinfection

Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type / Species / Test / Test date / Result
Central Veterinary Laboratory (national laboratory) / Cattle / antibody detection ELISA / 14 Aug 2020 / Positive

Future reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.