STRAINS OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS OF BANGLADESH

An investigation was carried out to find out the strains of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus in 24 districts of Bangladesh. A total of 505 FMD virus samples were collected from June, 1989 to June, 1991 and tested by complement fixation test (CFT). Of these, 276 (54.7%) were found positive for different strains of FMD virus and the rest 45.3% were either negative or anticomplementary. Strains identified were O, C, Asia-1 and sub-strains $A_5$ and $A_{22}$. Strain O was found to be most prevalent(39.8%) followed by Asia-1 (5.7%), C (5.3%), $A_5$ (3.4%) and $A_{22}$ (0.4%). Prevalence of sub-strain $A_5$ was reported for the first time in Bangladesh. District-wise typing of FMD virus has been done which would be helpful for appropriate vaccination programme in different districts of Bangladesh for control of the malady.