Retrospective Study of Foot and Mouth Disease in Awi Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

¹Banja Woreda Livestock Office, Animal Health Department, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Marie Teshager Tsehay, Banja Woreda Livestock Office, Animal Health Department, Ethiopia, Phone: 251918574873, Email: [email protected]

Received Date: May 11, 2026
Published Date: August 18, 2026

Citation: Tsehay MT, Akililu BF. (2026). Retrospective Study of Foot and Mouth Disease in Awi Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Mathews J Vet Sci. 10(3):113.

Copyright: Tsehay MT and Akililu BF. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is an acute contagious and highly infectious disease of domestic and wild ruminants. It is one of the most important and highest priority livestock diseases that affect production and productivity. In Ethiopia, the disease causes repeated outbreaks every year, thereby causing production loss and the banning of exportation of livestock, products and their by-products. The prevalence of foot and mouth disease in Ethiopia has been reported from different parts of the country. A retrospective study was conducted from September to November 2025 in Awi zone with the objective to investigate the occurrence and distribution of the disease by reviewing past records and reports. A seven years outbreak record (2019-2025) of foot and mouth disease in Awi administrative zone was retrieved for the study. The outbreak records were retrieved from Bahir Dar Animal Health and Diagnostic Laboratory and Awi zone Livestock and Fishery Resource office database. A total of 9 FMD outbreaks were reported from 6 districts of Awi zone during the 7 years of period. High number of outbreaks was recorded in the year 2019 with a total of 481 infected cases (465 sick cases and 16 deaths). However, the incidence rate was higher in the year 2022(7.67%). The overall morbidity and case fatality rate of FMD during the study period was 0.93% and 4.67%, respectively. In general, this study revealed that FMD was endemic and economically important disease that causes epidemics frequently affecting cattle production severely in the study zone. Regular vaccination and limit movement of cattle is recommended for the control of the disease.

Keywords: Cattle, Foot and Mouth Disease, Morbidity