A retrospective investigation of financial losses incurred by large ruminant smallholder
farmers due to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2010–12 in
northern Laos was conducted in 2012. The aim was to support recommendations
on sustainable transboundary animal disease control strategies in the Greater
Mekong Subregion (GMS). Large ruminant smallholders in the three northern
provinces of Luang Prabang (LPB), Xiengkhoung (XK) and Xayyabouli (XYL)
were interviewed (n = 310). Financial losses were determined, including direct
losses due to mortality (100% of pre-FMD sale value) and morbidity (difference
between the expected sale price pre-FMD and 1 month following onset of FMD),
and indirect losses due to costs of treatments. The losses due to FMD per household
varied between provinces (P < 0.001) and were USD 1124, USD 862 and
USD 381 in LPB, XK and XYL, respectively, being 60, 40 and 16% of annual
household income. Comparison of the costs of FMD with annual household
income from sales of large ruminants indicated losses of 213, 181 and 60% of the
income in LPB, XK and XYL, respectively. The variation in losses between provinces
was due to differences in levels of morbidity with highest in LPB, treatment
methods with antibiotic use common in LPB, age of animals sold and sale prices
with higher prices in XK. Partial budget analysis of biannual FMD vaccination
indicated an average net benefit of USD 22 and USD 33 for cattle and buffalo,
respectively. However, vaccination alone is unlikely to control FMD in the region.
Promotion of multiple large ruminant health and production intervention programmes
to stimulate interest in biosecurity in addition to vaccination is recommended,
providing a more sustainable pathway for poverty reduction through the
current expansion of livestock investments in the GMS.