Foot-and-mouth disease virus strains and examination of exposure factors associated with seropositivity of cattle herds in Nigeria during 2007-2009

New outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle herds in Nigeria during 2007-2009. The objectives of the study reported here were: (i) to identify current FMD virus strains circulating in cattle herds and (ii) to identify exposure factors associated with a seropositive diagnosis of FMD in cattle herds. This study provides evidence that FMD virus serotypes O, A and SAT-2 were co-circulating in cattle herds in Nigeria during 2007-2009. Cattle herds in a neighborhood affected with FMD had higher odds of being classified as seropositive to FMD, compared to herds that were in a neighborhood not affected with FMD (OR = 16.27; 95% CI = 3.61, 18.74; P < 0.01). Cattle herds that share water points along the trek routes with other cattle herds had higher odds of being classified as seropositive to FMD (adjusted OR = 4.15; 95% CI = 0.92, 18.74; P < 0.06). Results from this study can be used by veterinary services in Nigeria and neighboring countries to evaluate current or future FMD control and eradication programs.