Ian Robertson

Epidemiology of Foot and Mouth Disease in Myanmar Ian Robertson

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease which has a significant impact on the economy and livestock productivity of affected countries. This studies involved investigation of the epidemiology of FMD in a potentially free (Tanintharyi) and an endemic (Sagaing) region of Myanmar. The animal level sero-prevalence in the Sagaing was high (42%, 95% CI 37.7 - 47.1) in contrast to that in Tanintharyi Division (11.7%, 5.9 - 17.4). The traditional Dutaik meeting approach which is conducted in rural area of Myanmar, was developed as a participatory disease tool and was validated with data collected from serological surveys and questionnaire interviews to use for detecting FMD with the significant advantages of time and cost effectiveness. A partial budgeting model with Monte Carlo simulation was also developed to understand the influence of FMD on the economics of animal draught power, which is the major livestock input into the nation's agricultural enterprise. The animal movement study was done at two studied area and these movement data support the decision to develop a potential free zone area for FMD without vaccination in the Tanintharyi Division.