No case was observed in sheep and swine. No FMD outbreak occurred between October 1997 and October 1998 when FMD was identified in Akhalathsky and Akhaltsithsky regions bordering Turkey. Later disease spread to Tsalksky region. One outbreak occurred in each of the region and only few animals were infected. Material was sent to Vladimir OIE Reference Laboratory for virus isolation and serotyping.
Result is still pending.
Due to the extension of the limits of Europe, its security on the eastern frontier should be reconsidered. The number of trading partners of European countries has also been increased Five FMD outbreaks due to type O were reported in four regions of Kazakhstan between April and September 1998 and 3 outbreaks also due to type O in Tchoui region, Kant district affecting cattle, sheep, goat and pigs again in October 1998. According to the information provided by the Russian Federation, the implementation of the FMD buffer zone in the Southern part of the Russian Federation is effective. It has prevented the introduction of FMD, despite the unfavourable situation in neighbouring countries. However, the campaign of prophylactic vaccination was inconsistent, with regard to regularity, coverage and geographical implementation in the other Trans-Caucasian countries.