Abstract

Aim: Main purpose of the study was to evaluate economic impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in small ruminant’s production northern regions (Adamaoua, North and Far North) of Cameroon.

Method and materials:  In this study, 175 farmers were interviewed using well-structured questionnaires.

Results: Morbidity rate of FMD was 96.13% and mortality rate was 20.05% in sheep and 24.22% in goats. The total economic losses associated with the disease were high in the North and Far North regions with averages of 722.54 ± 668.12 USD and 644.80 ± 962.90 USD respectively. The cost of treating 2,716 FMD sick animals was estimated at 6,932.66 USD. Mortality losses were higher in the Far North region with an average of 424.23 ± 652.76USD and differed significantly from the other two regions. A difference was observed in terms of mortality losses by species with an average of 314.50 ± 629.46 USD for sheep and 109.73 ± 143.66 USD for goats.

Conclusion: It was concluded that Foot and Mouth Disease is endemic in the Northern Regions of Cameroon which causes financial losses. Socio-economic data on FMD were used to estimate the impact of FMD under endemic conditions in the Northern Regions of Cameroon.

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