Surveillance Study of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Ungulate Species in Dubai Safari Park 2020-2023

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, posing significant economic and ecological challenges. This study presents a surveillance analysis of FMD in ungulate species at Dubai Safari Park from 2020 to 2023. A total of 572 diagnostic tests, including lateral immunochromatographic assays (373) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests (199), were conducted across 32 species. All test results were non-reactive, indicating the absence of FMDV infections during the study period. These findings highlight the effectiveness of biosecurity measures and routine vaccination in maintaining a disease-free status within the park. The study underscores the necessity of ongoing surveillance, robust preventive strategies, and periodic vaccine evaluations to mitigate potential future outbreaks.