Epizootiology of foot and mouth disease in Saudi Arabia: II. Current status on dairy farms and control measures in operation.

Specifically-designed questionnaires were distributed to the managers and/or veterinarians of all dairy farms in Saudi Arabia in order to obtain data on the occurrence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on these farms from 1971 to 1989, as well as data on current control measures. Of 39 farms, 27 responded to the questionnaire and 15 (56%) reported FMD outbreaks. Notification and collection of samples for diagnosis were not performed consistently. Laboratory tests were undertaken at the World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease, Pirbright, United Kingdom. FMD virus serotypes O, A and C were isolated. Epizootiological factors contributing to the occurrence of FMD in Saudi dairy farms and recommendations for improving control of the disease are discussed in depth.