Characterization of FMDV isolates from Sudan collected from 2009-2011 outbreaks Hana Yousif1, Inas Habiballa2*, Salma Kamal3, Donald King4, Nick Knowles4, Jemma Wadsworth4, Yazid Khalleil2and Mohammed Habiela2. Ministry of livestock, fisheries and rangelands, General directorate of animal health and disease control, Madani highway, Soba, Khartoum, Sudan. Ministry of livestock, fisheries and rangelands, Animal resources Research Corporation, Veterinary Research Institute(VRI) – Foot-and-mouth disease Unit, Madani highway, Soba, Khartoum -Sudan. Ministry of livestock, fisheries and rangelands, Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Department of Entomology and Ticks, Madani highway, Soba -Khartoum -Sudan. World Reference laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease, The Pirbright institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking Surrey, UK.

A recent molecular study on foot and mouth disease virus isolated from Sudan between 2009-2011 INTRODUCTION: Sudan is the second biggest African country with regard to its animals resources which estimated to be 105 million heads . 40% of the Sudanese population depends on livestock for their livelihood.

Sudan is endemic with FMD and outbreaks occur frequently. Three serotypes were reported in the country, O, A and SAT2 (Habiela et al 2010). FMD is economically important disease. Loss/head of cross breed diary cow in KHT : 129.81USD. Average animal loss 2012-013 :1.200.888 USD.

Material and methods: In the current study, Samples from suspected FMD outbreaks occurred between 2009-2011 in two Sudanese states, Khartoum and North Kordofan were collected and analyzed at FMD Department in CVRL-Sudan ( antigen detection ELISA) . Molecular biology and VP1 sequencing analysis were carried out at WRL-FMDV, Pirbright, UK. The samples were identified as serotype O, A and SAT2 . Serotype A isolates were found to belong to Africa topotype and G-IV genotype and closely related to recent isolated virus from Egypt and Eritrea .

RESULTS : Serotype O isolates were found to belong to East-3 topotype and closely related to Eritrean and Ethiopian isolates (similarity 95% ).

SAT2 isolates were found to belong to topotype VII and closely related to genotype Alex-12 . The isolates showed a big similarity with isolates from North, West Africa and Middle East.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicate that three serotypes, O, A and SAT2 are circulating in the country and are responsible for causing the outbreaks and in accordance with previous studies (Habiela et al, 2010). Serotype O and A are the most prevalent serotypes in Sudan. The phylogenetic analysis has proved to be a good tool to identify the circulating viruses and their genetic relationships. Free and uncontrollable animal movements and animal trade might play a pivotal role in the dissemination of the virus in Sudan and across countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

I would like to thank: General directorate of animal health and disease control, Central Veterinary research laboratory CVRL, EUFDM (for funding my participation ) Pirbright Institute.