PATHOGENESIS OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH-DISEASE IN THE AFRICAN BUFFALO (SYNCERUS-CAFFER) AND THE ROLE OF THIS SPECIES IN THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF THE DISEASE IN KENYA

Exposure of African buffalo to a measured dose of virus of serotypes SAT 1 and SAT 2 by intranasal instillation resulted in mild clinical disease with no mouth lesions and a single interdigital ulcer following exposure with the SAT 2 type. Exposure by tongue inoculation with type A did not result in overt disease. Viraemia was present for up to 6 days and virus was isolated from the nose for up to 15 dae. Virus was repeatedly isolated from the throat. Prolonged contact between carrier buffalo and susceptible cattle did not result in transmission of disease. A field survey showed that SAT 1 and SAT 2 carrier buffalo were present in the south of the country while there was also serological evidence that types O and A had cycled in the buffalo population. No strain differences were found between isolates from buffalo and cattle. © 1979.