Spatiotemporal Distribution of Foot and Mouth Disease in Southern Highlands of Tanzania: A Five-Year Retrospective Analysis (2019 – 2023)

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the Spatial and temporal distribution of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Southern Highland Zone Tanzania. The present study used data from archived information of animal disease surveillance reports in form of weekly reports submitted to the Zonal Office from Local Government Authorities (LGAs) for the past five years from January 2019 to December 2023. The present study found that out of 31 Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in the Southern Highland Zone 26 reported the disease in the past five years. Moreover, 25,60 6 cases, and 389 deaths were reported. Therefore, 5.3%, 1.7%, and 0.1% were reported as FMD prevalence, case fatality rate, and mortality rate, respectively. It was also revealed that there was a clear temporal pattern of FMD occurrence, with more cases being reported between January and April which is the rainy season.  In conclusion, FMD is a seasonal problem in Southern Highland Zone Tanzania, Therefore Strategic vaccination of animals should start at least a month prior to the onset rainy season to ensure immunity against the virus, together with restrictions on animal movements during rainy season and farmers have to be aware about the risk of unrestricted animal movement.