After two years without outbreaks, on March 24, 2017 seven cases of Foot Mouth Disease (FMD) caused by a new serotype (serotype A) were registered in a herd located in the province of Relizane, Algeria (Figure 1).

All 12 cattle in the farm were slaughtered and tested for the detection of FDM virus. The new strain isolated is going to be sequenced for genotyping. On April 2 other five cases caused by serotype A were confirmed in two herds located in Boussena, Ouzna, Medea and Bordj Ghedir, Bordj Bou Arreridj respectively (Figure 1). All positive cases and susceptible animals were slaughtered. Restriction measures for limiting the circulation of new serotype were adopted, such as markets and fairs interdiction, increased surveillance in farms and on incoming animals.

In order to reduce the risk of introduction of the new serotype, Spain has applied the same restriction and prevention measures adopted by Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (MAPAMA) in 2014 after detection of serotype O in the region of North Africa.

FMD is an infectious disease caused by a virus, characterized by high morbility and low mortality causing a lot of economic loss. The disease can affect wild and domestic mammals such as Artiodactyla, comprising Ruminantia, Suina, Tylopoda.