1. Sero-epidemiologic study on Foot-and-Mouth Disease in livestock in West Libya Symaia M. AbdulJawad1, Hiyam M. Zegallai1, Emad M. Bennour2, Ibrahim M. Eldaghay2, Fabrizio Rosso3, Chris J. M. Bartels3 and Abdunaser S. Dayhum2 1 National Center of Animal Health, P. O. Box 121, Zawia, Libya 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, P. O. Box 13662, Tripoli, Libya. 3 EUFMD1 European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, Italy

2. Study objectives and results
For two areas in North-west Libya (Zliten and Tripoli) in small and large ruminants
to determine the NSP-Ab sero-prevalence for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
to identify the putative risk factors associated with FMD infection.
Two master degree:
Serological Survey for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Livestock Animals in Zliten Region – Libya by Symaia M. AbdulJawad
SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN SHEEP, GOATS AND CATTLE IN TRIPOLI REGION, LIBYA by Hiyam M. Zegallai

3. Objectives and study design
Study objective
To acquire a better understanding of the epidemiology of FMD virus circulation in large and small ruminants with regard to Prevalence and putative Risk factors
To support the risk-based strategy for FMD control in Libya
Study area
Two areas in West Libya (Zliten (25) and Tripoli (22))
Cross-sectional sero-survey
Small ruminants and large ruminants

4. FMD in Libya Introduction of FMD SAT 2 in 2012
FMD O – EA3 unnamed in 2012
FMD O – Ind-2001d in 2013
Current political situation makes it hard to receive notifications and samples

5. Livestock production in Libya
Large ruminants: heads of cattle, mainly dairy and around large cities
Small ruminants: heads with
30% of owners trading mainly around larger cities
70% traditional livestock owners – grazing their stock

6. Animal movement across Libya
1800 km coast line
4400 km border lines (Egypt, Sudan, Chad, iger, Algeria, Tunesia)

7. Collaboration EuFMD 2014
Developing a Risk-based Strategy Plan – PCP-FMD Stage 1
Identification of risk hotspots
Identification of gaps and needs
Risk prioritization and risk pathways
Definition of strategic objectives and tactics

8. Context of present study
Work of student as part of Master studies
Nearby Tripoli
Animal dense location
dairy cattle
small ruminants
Mixed farming practices
Previous work was part of a collaboration with IZSLER in
Investigation of FMD outbreaks
Immune response in vaccinated animals
Level of FMD virus circulation (NSP-Ab)

9. Study design Cattle sampled: Small ruminants
91 herds (10% of herds)
Maximum 5 heads sampled
Total 435 heads of cattle
Small ruminants
34 flocks with >= 100 heads (10% of flocks)
48 samples per flock by age-categories (< 12 months, months, >= 24 months)
Total 1590 heads
Questionnaire with farmers on putative risk factors
Management practices
Location
Species
Samples tested for NSP-Ab against FMD
PrioCHECK® FMDV NS
Statistical analysis
Poisson regression analysis for risk factors at herd/flock level

10. Study results – NSP-Ab seropositivity
Herd level
25 out of 91 had no NSP-Ab + cattle
8 out of 91 had all 5 cattle NSP-Ab +
Individual level
37% (95% CI: 32 – 41)
Flock level
1 out of 34 had no NSP-Ab + SR
Mean number NSP-Ab + was 7.4 heads
Median NSP-Ab + was 5 heads
Individual level
16% (95% CI: 15 – 18)

11. Association between NSP-Ab and animal-related factors
Cattle
Age: Cattle older than 12 months were 2-times more likely to test NSP-Ab positive compared with cattle younger than 12 months
Small ruminants
Over 12 months of age: OR = 1.8 ( )
Goats versus sheep: OR = 2.4 ( )
Imported versus local: OR=1.8 ( )

12. Putative risk factors at unit-level
Cattle
No statistically significant factors from multi-variable regression
Univariable testing indicated
Proportion NSP-Ab increases with increasing herd size
Proportion NSP-Ab higher in Tripoli compared with Zliten
Small ruminants
Sales: farms selling more livestock had increased levels of FMD positive test results (Odds ratio: 2.0 (95%CI: ))
Manure: farms selling or taking the manure outdoors had higher levels of FMD positive test results (Odds ratio: 1.8 (95%CI: ))

13. Interpretation and discussion
Age is indicating active virus circulation
FMD virus circulation more in small ruminants
Cattle are kept indoors (on site) more than small ruminants
Cattle are more likely to be vaccinated
Goats testing positive more often than sheep
Selling livestock and manure are putative risk factors
Results will help to inform livestock owners, private vets and extension workers on farm management practices to reduce exposure to FMD virus
Building capacity
Study design
Data collection
Data management

14. Thank you