Recurrent appearance of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) in Saudi Arabia

There are seven immunologically distinct serotypes of FMDV (O, A, C, Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3), most of them were detected and identified in different regions of Saudi Arabia. FMDV serotype O was the most frequent strain in last decade. Outbreaks of FMDV repeatedly occur among cattle, sheep and goats in various regions of Saudi Arabia during years 1994, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010. Recently, 14 (0.78 %) suspected cases of FMDV out of inspected 1800 cows were observed and recorded during Hajj season 1432 H (2011) in Makkah. Prevention and control strategies of FMD in Saudi Arabia particularly during Hajj seasons were discussed.