First report of near-complete genome sequences of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O strains from Kenya

Authors: Palinski, Rachel; SANGULA, ABRAHAM - Kenya Agricultural And Livestock Research Organization; BERTRAM, MIRANDA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Pauszek, Steven; Hartwig, Ethan; Smoliga, George; OBANDA, VINCENT - Kenya Wildlife Service; OMONDI, GOERGE - University Of Minnesota; VANDERWAAL, KIMBERLY - University Of Minnesota; Arzt, Jonathan

Submitted to: Microbiology Resource Announcements
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2019
Publication Date: 8/20/2019
Citation: Palinski, R.M., Sangula, A., Bertram, M.R., Pauszek, S.J., Hartwig, E.J., Smoliga, G.R., Obanda, V., Omondi, G., Vanderwaal, K., Arzt, J. 2019. First Report of Near-Complete Genome Sequences of Footand- Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O Strains from Kenya. Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00808-19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00808-19

Interpretive Summary: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is an important transboundary disease affecting animal health and economics through impacts on agriculture and trade. The virus mutates rapidly in the field, and there are few up-to-date examples of viral sequences from Africa. Therefore, this report of a novel serotype O virus is an important consideration for vaccination and other FMDV control efforts in Kenya and for allowing FMDV-free countries like USA maintain preparedness for possible introduction of the virus.

Technical Abstract: This is the first report of two near-complete genomes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O viruses from Kenya. The viruses were isolated from bovine epithelium collected in 2014 or 2016 from local FMD outbreaks. These full genome sequences are essential for FMDV sequence analyses.