Food-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Cambodia. The control program
for FMD has relied on vaccination, with poor vaccination uptake by
smallholder farmers an increasing concern. A study to improve the
understanding of farmer knowledge, attitudes and practices of FMD and
FMD vaccination was conducted in two Cambodian provinces. The aim was to
identify opportunities to improve the disease control programs provided
by both the government and private sectors. The survey comprised 300
smallholder farmers using a one-on-one interview technique. Results
identified that over two-thirds of the respondent farmers had not
vaccinated their cattle over two years. Of those who did, most cattle
were vaccinated either once a year or once every three years. A booster
had never been administered. FMD outbreaks occurred every year during
the study period, with a morbidity rate of over 30%. Isolation of first
infected cattle from the household herd was not practiced, with
treatment identified as the first preference intervention. Farmers often
assisted other farmers to restrain and treat infected cattle both before
(57%) and after (43%) their own cattle were infected. This indicated
that most farmers did not practice basic biosecurity measures and chose
to report FMD outbreaks to the village animal health workers (VAHW),
friends, neighbors, and relatives in preference to government officials.
It was concluded that poor knowledge of disease transmission and
biosecurity, with low FMD vaccination coverage and a focus on treatment,
contribute to regular FMD outbreaks in these communities. Improvement of
FMD control requires the cooperation of villagers, VAHWs, and village
leaders in disease reporting, with either improved funding of government
vaccination services or private FMD vaccination service. Training
programs for farmers on disease transmission, and the importance of
biosecurity and vaccination, including information on the cost-benefits
of treatment versus full fee bi-annual FMD vaccination, are required.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of smallholder farmers on foot and mouth disease control in two Cambodian provinces
