The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has issued a global call to action against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype SAT1, a strain first identified in southern Africa. WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) confirm that SAT1 has now spread into Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, raising urgent concerns for animal health, food security, and trade.
Global spread raises concern
FMD continues to challenge livestock systems worldwide. SAT1 outbreaks have now been reported in Southern Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Recent outbreaks in China’s Xinjiang and Gansu provinces show SAT1 moving east from Central Asia, with mortality among young animals exceeding 50%.
The virus has also spread south into Central Asia and west into European Russia, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance and coordinated strategies.
WOAH’s call to members
WOAH stresses that transparent reporting and timely action are critical. Members are urged to strengthen surveillance, update risk assessments, and prepare for rapid responses.
Recommended actions include:
- Update risk assessments to reflect SAT1’s changing distribution and trade pathways.
- Enhance surveillance and diagnostics in high-risk areas for early detection.
- Conduct virus characterization and genotyping to monitor evolution.
- Review vaccine strategies and adjust antigen composition for effectiveness.
- Strengthen preparedness through contingency planning and simulation exercises.
- Coordinate with neighboring Members to ensure proportionate responses.
Kazakhstan has already banned cattle, meat, and feed imports from Russia, reflecting WOAH’s advice to update risk assessments and strengthen preparedness. These measures highlight how regional governments are responding to SAT1’s spread.
Technical support and partnerships
WOAH reaffirms its commitment to support Members through its FMD Reference Laboratories network. These laboratories provide diagnostic confirmation, virus characterization, and antigenic matching.
Regional laboratories in Asia are critical partners, as domestic vaccines in China failed to protect herds, underscoring WOAH’s call for antigen review. Collaboration with FAO and other partners under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) ensures coordinated global action.
Russian authorities were accused of concealing outbreaks to preserve export revenues, highlighting WOAH’s emphasis on transparent reporting as vital for coordinated responses.
Shared responsibility remains essential. Effective cooperation reduces the impact of FMD and safeguards livelihoods, food security, and trade.