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TT 77-53040
ON THE EPIZOOTOLOGY OF FMD IN THE UKRAINE CAUSED BY VIRUS A22.
VISNYK SILSKOHOSPODAR NAUK, in Ukrainian, Vol. 5, 1971, pp. 102-105
(Article by Shcharbyna, O.K.).
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The foot and mouth disease, caused by A22, was first introduced into the Ukraine from the bordering regions of the RSFSR, in the Autumn of 1965. During a fairly short peried of time this epzootic spread to many regions of the Ukrainian SSR. In 1966, the foot and mouth epizootic continued to spread throughout the Republic, causing fresh outbreaks; in 1967, the epizootic decreased substantially, but by 1968 - 1969 there were still some epizootic flare-ups of foot and mouth disease in the Ukrainian Republic.
The scientists of the Department of Epizootology and parasitology of the Ukrainian Order of the Red Banner of Labor Agricultural Accademy, carried out a detailed study of the foot and mouth epizootic caused by A22 virus. Their investigations included collections of data for study by scientists. This data was obtained from a survey of 187 farms during the epizootic and after the epizootic was over ( farms being selected according to their representative character). The data thus obtained was analysed and tested by the Scientists. On the basis of these studies definite conclusions have been reached.
This article outlines a series of basic problems of foot and mouth epizootic, caused by A22 virus.
THE AGE-WISE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF VARIOUS KINDS OF ANIMALS.
At the commencement of the epizootic (1965-1966) foot and mouth disease attacked mainly cattle, a few pigs and a very few sheep also. By 1967-1968, the number of pigs that became victim to foot and mouth disease had increased appreciably. At the same time, it was observed that the epizootic flare-up among these types of animals occurred mostly on farms where many cattle, had in the past, contracted foot and mouth disease.
Analysis of the data obtained, established that the most susceptible animals in farms to foot and mouth disease are first
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cattle, next pigs and last of all sheep.
The data collected in the Ukrainian SSR compared very favorably with the data obtained in the Belorussian SSR, where during the foot and mouth epizootic, 65.2% of mature cattle had developed this disease, 33.9% pigs had been attached and only 0.9% sheep had contracted foot and mouth disease, from among the total number of animals attacked by the epizootic.
Age-wise, it was found that animals of all ages were equally susceptible to this disease, caused by the A22 virus, but the young and new born stock, were specially susceptible.
SEASONS MOST FAVORABLE FOR THE SPREAD OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
The most favorable period for the propagation of foot and mouth disease in animals, has been observed to be the autumn-winter months, this was evident by the commencement and immediate spreading of the foot and mouth epizootic in 1965. In the Khmel'nic'kij region, the foot and mouth epizootic had reached its peak in the spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) 1966-1967,
According to the testimony of S.G. Poplaukhin (1968), the foot and mouth epizootic in the Altai Territory during 1949-1952 and again from 1955 to 1956 had reached its highest peak in the winter months. The same theory, that foot and mouth disease is more rampant in the winter and autumn periods of the year, has been observed by S. Sh. Shaltikov (1961). N. N. Gizitdinov (1961), I.O. Dmitrov (1961) and S. K. V'yatkin (1961).
V. I. Kindyakov (1970) states, that the epizootic flare-ups of foot and mouth disease in KAZAKHISTAN, in 77% of cases out of the total number occurred during the autumn-winter periods of the year, after massive cattle drives.
In our opinion, the substantial propagation of foot and mouth disease in the Ukraine during the autumn-winter months may be explained by the fairly high stability of A22 virus in lower temperatures and the various means by which foot and mouth infection can be spread. In particular, the latter was assisted by large movement of people and transport, in the autumn for preparation and transportation of farm products, animal drives by Sovkhoses and Kolkhoses ( State and Collective farms in USSR ) to the meatpacking plants, stables for feeding and "Zagotskot"--( "State purchase") and in the spring period ( this is for the Khmel'nic’ kig region ), it is also probably the result of field operations. And finally, insufficiently effective protective measures to combat the foot and mouth infection ( organization, quarantinelimits, veterinary attention, immunization of animals, etc. ) have also had their influence on the spreading of the foot and mouth disease. During the summer months, the virus is very much
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