FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS SEROTYPES CIRCULATING IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a significant threat to food security and livestock production, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa, where it is endemic. This study provides the first  report on the serotypes of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) circulating in small ruminants in Benue State, Nigeria, using the solid-phase competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SPCE). A total of 64 FMDV-positive serum samples were analyzed, revealing that serotype O was the most prevalent (57.81%, 95% CI: 45.60–69.14), followed by unidentified (UI) serotypes (37.50%, 95% CI: 26.65–49.77), SAT-1 (32.81%, 95% CI: 22.53–45.04), and A (14.06%, 95% CI: 7.35–24.84). Serotype O was also the most prevalent in sheep (73.68%, 95% CI: 50.86–88.55) and goats (51.11%, 95% CI: 37.00–65.04), followed by UI serotypes (46.67%, 95% CI: 32.93–60.92) in goats and SAT-1 (47.37%, 95% CI: 27.33–68.30) in sheep. Geographically, areas with significant livestock trade activity such as Makurdi and Otukpo exhibited distinct serotype patterns with Makurdi showing the highest prevalence of serotype O (72.41%, 95% CI of 54.09-85.50) and SAT-1 serotype (51.72%, 95% CI of 34.43-68.61), while UI serotypes dominated in Otukpo (60.00%, 95% CI of 38.60-78.17). Breed-specific variations were observed with the Yankasa breed of sheep (76.47%, 95% CI: 52.23–90.95), West African Dwarf (WAD) goat (57.14%, 95% CI: 32.55–78.66), and Sokoto Red goats (46.67%, 95% CI: 30.23–63.86) showing higher seroprevalence for serotype O, whereas SAT-1 was predominant in WAD sheep (100.00%, 95% CI: 29.02–100.00). Sex, and age-specific factors also influenced serotype detection, with older animals and female sheep and goats exhibiting greater co-circulation of multiple serotypes. The detection of multiple FMDV serotypes and unidentified variants highlights the need for expanded diagnostic efforts and multivalent vaccination strategies. These findings emphasize the importance of including small ruminants in regional and national FMD prevention and control programs in Nigeria to mitigate the disease’s impact on livestock production and trade.