Spatial and temporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Algeria from 2014 to 2022

Background and Aim

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a major transboundary animal ailment in Algeria, is a serious economic burden on the livestock sector. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of FMD in Algeria and identifies the factors contributing to this phenomenon.

Materials and Methods

Data on FMD cases occurring in Algeria from 2014 to 2022 were collected from various sources, including archives at the Ministry of Agriculture, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, reference laboratory reports, and unpublished scientific reports. The data were compiled and analyzed using MS Office Excel® and SPSS® software.

Results

A total of 22,690 FMD cases and 1,141 outbreaks were reported in Algeria between 2014 and 2022. The apex of infections occurred in 2014 (34.5%), followed by an increase in the number of infections in 2019 and 2017. The prevalence of FMD extended to 91.6% of the districts of the country, particularly in the north (center) and eastern regions. Cows were the most affected, with 654 outbreaks and more than 3,665 cases. Although FMD affected all four regions, there was a statistically significant long-term decline in the incidence.

Conclusion

These spatial and temporal trends underscore the robust disease control methodologies implemented by the Algerian government, such as the strategic immunization of livestock to fortify their viral resistance, stringent constraints on animal mobility, and enlightenment of farmers regarding the hazards associated with unrestricted livestock movement to effectively curb FMD dissemination.

Knowledge and behavior of cattle and sheep owners and herders regarding foot-and-mouth disease in Northern Algeria

Background and Aim:

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been occurring in Algeria since 2014, when an outbreak was announced in Setif, a district in the eastern region of the country. The problem was apparently resolved with the help of vaccination. However, in 2015, 2016, and 2018, FMD recurred. The veterinary authorities and media educated breeders on how to recognize the clinical signs and how to report the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and recognition of FMD by farmers and breeders. Moreover, an assessment of the behavior of cattle and sheep owners and herders following FMD cases is examined.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to October 2018 to evaluate the perception of cattle and sheep owners and breeders regarding FMD in the Northern regions of Algeria, using questionnaires.

Results:

One hundred questionnaires were distributed; 71 were collected. Data showed that all the responders claimed to know about the disease, while more than half of the owners/herders claimed that they knew the clinical symptoms of FMD and mentioned fever, hypersalivation, lameness, and vesicles. Fewer than half (42%) (30/71) took some measures to prevent the disease, while more than half (58%) (41/71) did not take any measures in 2018. No one claimed to have reported the disease to authorities in 2018, while more than half had done so in 2014.

Conclusion:

It appears that experienced farmers recognized the clinical signs of FMD, while an academic background was not conclusively necessary for the identification of the clinical signs of the disease. Concerning the assessment of risk-associated behavior in the event of FMD occurrence, the responses of the breeders were not significantly different from those of risk-associated behaviors in the event of an epidemic. Farmers and breeders expressed similarity in terms of communicating the appearance of the disease in their livestock; the majority of them seemed to be aware of the importance of reporting the disease to local authorities, especially in 2014, when the disease first occurred. This behavior is encouraged by refund and technical assistance policies by the veterinary authorities, but in 2018, no disease was reported due to fear of slaughtering and economic loss.

Antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitis in Algeria

Objective:

This work aimed to determine the resistance and/or the susceptibility to antibiotics of staphylococci isolated from cattle with mastitis in the North of Algeria.

Materials and Methods:

The disk diffusion method was carried out to reveal the antibiotic resistance in accordance to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines in the Mueller-Hinton agar.

Results:

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) isolates showed more resistance to Cefoxitin, Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid, Vancomycin, Trimethoprime Sulfamethoxazole, Clindamycine, Neomycin, and Erythromycin than Coagulase-positive Staphylococci (CPS). CPS were more resistant to Penicillin and Tetracycline as compared to CNS strains; however, all these strains presented sensitivity to Gentamicin and neomycin.

Conclusion:

The Staphylococci showed high resistance to the beta-lactam antibiotics. As far as the authors know, these molecules are used with or without control in different protocols to prevent and cure the mastitis in Algeria.

Emergence of PPR and its threat to Europe

PPR is an important infectious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants, that threatens the food security and sustainable livelihood of farmers across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Europe is free of the disease except in Thrace (European part of Turkey) and Israel where outbreaks occur. Following the successful eradication of RPV, PPR has been targeted by the OIE and FAO as the next viral pathogen to be eradicated by 2030. However, the recent outbreaks in Northen Africa and Thrace (European part of Turkey) represent a significant threat to mainland Europe, as a source of disease spread. We have discussed here the emergence of PPR worldwide since its discovery with particular reference to the recent outbreaks in Northen Africa and Thrace, and the potential for spread of the disease into Europe.