What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Foot and mouth disease (FMD) (n=800). Primary outcome: FMD viral non-structural proteins (NSP) seroprevalence.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the distribution and risk factors for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in livestock along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.

April 10, 2026Open Access

Seroprevalence and Risk Factor Assessment of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus in the Pakistan–Afghanistan Border Region

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Natural Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) infection is highly endemic along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with an overall seroprevalence of 35.25% (37% in cattle versus 30% in buffaloes). Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Key Result

Natural FMD infection along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was highly endemic, with an overall seroprevalence of 35.25% (37% in cattle vs 30% in buffaloes).

Key Points

This study aims to assess the distribution and risk factors for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in livestock along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
Collect 800 serum samples from cattle and buffaloes
Test samples for antibodies against FMD using ELISA
Conduct serotype-specific analysis for FMD strains
Perform risk factor analysis to identify significant determinants of FMD circulation
35.25% of samples tested NSP-positive for natural FMD infection
Serotype O was the most prevalent at 66.1%
Cattle exhibited a higher prevalence rate of 37% compared to 30% in buffaloes
Identified risk factors include age, breed, herd size, body condition, and animal movement

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=800)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

What is the seroprevalence and what are the risk factors for Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle and buffaloes in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region?

Population

800 cattle (n=610) and buffaloes (n=190) along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border

Outcome

Seroprevalence of FMD viral structural proteins (SP) and non-structural proteins (NSP)surrogate

Foot and mouth disease is highly endemic in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, highlighting the need for mass vaccination and movement control.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 37% vs 30%

Abstract

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease affecting livestock, causing significant economic losses. This sero-epidemiological study investigated FMD distribution and associated risk factors in cattle and buffaloes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. A total of 800 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 610) and buffaloes (n = 190) and tested for antibodies against FMD viral structural proteins (SP) and non-structural proteins (NSP) using ELISA. Overall, 35.25% (282/800) of samples were NSP-positive, indicating natural infection. Serotype-specific analysis showed serotype O as the most prevalent (66.1%), followed by serotype A (50%) and Asia-1 (32%). Cattle exhibited higher FMD prevalence (37%; 95% CI: 33–40) than buffaloes (30%; 95% CI: 23–37). Significant spatial variations in SP and NSP Seroprevalence were observed across different areas. Risk factor analysis identified male sex, young age (1–2 years), crossbred and exotic breeds, summer season, large herd size, smallholders subsistence production systems, poor body condition, and animal movement as factors associated with significantly higher (p < 0.05) FMD circulation. These findings indicate that FMD is highly endemic in the border region and highlight the critical need for government-led mass vaccination campaigns, targeted risk-based surveillance, and stringent movement control to mitigate disease spread. Implementation of such control strategies is essential to safeguard livestock health and protect the regional economy from substantial losses.