Emergence, existence and distribution of foot and mouth disease in Pakistan in comparison with the global perspective

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an illness of cloven-footed animals which is highly contagious disease of goat, cattle, buffalo and sheep. FMD cause huge financial losses, particularly in underdeveloped countries. FMD has long-term effects like loss of productivity and restriction to trade. A virus called FMDV that belongs to Picornaviridae family is the causative agent of disease. FMD Virus (Aphthovirus) has seven serotypes named as Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT 3, A, C and O and 80 to 88 subtypes. There is no cross-protection and disease control is difficult due to continuous mutation. The developed countries have eradicated the disease but Pakistan is still suffering great economic losses due to lack of proper management, awareness and poor disease reporting. This review focuses on the emergence, existence and distribution of FMDV in Pakistan in comparison with the global perspective. All these factors are much important to know before we can formulate any control strategy for FMD on the national level. This paper reviews the FMD situation in Pakistan, its influence at present, future aspects of FMD disease and its economic impact.