The World Organisation For Animal Health (WOAH) has confirmed the presence of foot and mouth disease virus in cattle in Algeria.

A report from the WOAH seen by Agriland confirmed the disease in the African country on Friday, November 6.

According to the report, the outbreak is a new strain in the country/territory.

A series of control measures have been implemented in Algeria for both domestic and wild animals.

The WOAH report indicates vaccination in response to the outbreak has been applied for domesticated animals as well as an emergency eradication or 'stamping out' strategy.

There is also a range of control measures that have been implemented for wild animals in the country.

It is understood there are three separate outbreaks involving 53 susceptible cattle and 27 cases.

According to the WOAH report, the source or origin of the infection is "unknown or inconclusive" and there was no epidemiological comment included in the report.

The report also says that the disease event status is ongoing.

Impact on Irish cattle trade

On October 27, Agriland revealed that Irish weanling exporters had been informed Algeria had closed for cattle imports.

The Algerian market was "temporarily closed" to all cattle imports following concerns regarding the potential emergence of a new serotype of the foot and mouth disease virus and the most recent WOAH report confirms these concerns.

Over 7,100 Irish cattle have been exported to Algeria to date this year, up 72% on last year.

Until its closure, the country was a key destination for Irish weanlings this autumn.

Since the market closed, weanling exporter buying activity has declined significantly at mart sales around the country and prices have also declined in line with this.

Some weanling exporters currently have significant numbers of weanlings on hand that were supposed to go to the Algerian market.

Some key industry sources have given Agriland positive signals that an alternative market outlet could be found for these weanlings in the near future.

Stay tuned to Agriland for further updates on this story.