Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Maghreb and its threat to southern European countries

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and transboundary viral disease of domesticated and wild cloven-hoofed animals. The present study summarizes the knowledge generated from the epidemiology, diagnosis, and surveillance of the disease in the Maghreb (2014–2015) in assessing its threat to southern European countries. Currently, two serotypes of the FMD virus (O and SAT-2) and four lineages are circulating in the Maghreb region. The introduction of serotype SAT-2 in Libya and Mauritania in 2012 and 2015 respectively sets their neighbors and subsequently south European countries at constant risk of FMD re-emergence. The potential pathways of FMD introduction to southern European countries from the Maghreb are the illegal introduction of infected animals and animal products, particularly meat or meat products carried by refugees.