Sheep had significantly higher odds of FMDV seropositivity compared to goats (50.0% vs 17.5%; AOR 17.2; 95% CI 6.77-48.2; P<0.001), alongside other risk factors like grazing and river-basin ecology.
Cross-Sectional (n=372)
Yes
The study found a high seroprevalence of FMDV in unvaccinated sheep and goats in central Bangladesh, highlighting the need for broader surveillance in small ruminants.
Odds Ratio: 17.2 (95% CI 6.77–48.2)
Absolute Event Rate: 50% vs 17.5%
p-value: p=<0.001
BACKGROUND: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), caused by the FMD virus (FMDV), is a highly contagious transboundary animal disease of cloven-hooved animals that causes significant economic losses worldwide, including in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was designed to assess FMDV antibodies and associated risk factors among sheep and goats in selected districts of Bangladesh. METHODS: The present study was conducted from July to December 2023 in three districts of Dhaka Division in Bangladesh to assess the seroprevalence of FMDV in unvaccinated sheep and goats. For this, a total of 372 (n = 372) blood samples were collected aseptically for serum separation and tested for antibodies against FMDV-nonstructural protein (NSP) using a commercially available ELISA kit. The hypothesized risk factors data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed via chi-square tests and logistic regression models to identify their association with FMD seropositivity. RESULTS: Overall seroprevalence of FMDV was 20.97% (78/372); sheep 50.0% (20/40), goats 17.5% (58/332). Firth's penalized multivariable logistic regression identified species (sheep) (AOR = 17.2, 95% CI = 6.77-48.2, p < 0.001), district (Narsingdi) (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.13-0.7, p < 0.001), (Gazipur) (AOR = 17.1, 95% CI = 5.21-69, p < 0.001), feeding system (grazing) (AOR = 9.53, 95% CI = 3.45-29.6, p < 0.001), river-basin ecology (AOR = 6.32, 95% CI = 2.09-22.8, p < 0.001), and animal introduction (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.02-5.45, p = 0.044) as independent risk factors for FMD seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed a high seroprevalence of FMDV in sheep and goats within the Dhaka division and highlights the need for broader and routine surveillance of FMD in small ruminants across Bangladesh, alongside cattle and buffaloes, to better understand its epidemiology and inform control strategies.
Sikder et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) (n=372). Sheep species vs. Goat species was evaluated on FMDV seropositivity (AOR 17.2, 95% CI 6.77-48.2, p=<0.001). Sheep had significantly higher odds of FMDV seropositivity compared to goats (50.0% vs 17.5%; AOR 17.2; 95% CI 6.77-48.2; P<0.001), alongside other risk factors like grazing and river-basin ecology.