Abstract:
The livestock industry supports livelihood and nutritional security of at least 42% of people
in the Southern African Development Community region. However, presence of animal diseases such
as foot-and-mouth disease poses a major threat to the development of this industry. Samples collected
from FMD outbreaks in Zambia during 2015–2020, comprising epithelial tissues samples (n = 47)
and sera (n = 120), were analysed. FMD virus was serotyped in 26 samples, while 92 sera samples
tested positive on NSP-ELISA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed notable changes in the epidemiology
of FMD in Zambia, which included: (i) introduction of a novel FMDV SAT-3 (topotype II) causing
FMD cases in cattle in Western Province; (ii) emergence of FMDV serotype O (topotype O/EA-2) in
Central, Southern, Copperbelt, Western, Lusaka Provinces; and (iii) new outbreaks due to SAT -2
(topotypes I) in Eastern Zambia. Together, these data describe eight different epizootics that occurred
in Zambia, four of which were outside the known FMD high-risk areas. This study highlights the
complex epidemiology of FMD in Zambia, where the country represents an interface between East
Africa (Pool 4) and Southern Africa (Pool 6). These changing viral dynamics have direct impacts on
FMD vaccine selection in the SADC region.
