Serological exposure to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was assessed in traditionally managed goats sampled from different villages of Andaman & Nicobar Islands during September 2014. A total of 81 serum samples from goats (Non-descript, Malabari, and Teressa breed) were collected and subjected to 3AB non-structural protein (NSP) ELISA using the in-house r3AB3 NSP ELISA kit. Only 1 out of 81 animals from Rangachang village was found to be positive suggesting absence of FMD virus circulation in the islands during the recent past. However, the particular seropositive animal needs to be re-sampled and tested again in NSP ELISA to rule out infection. As most of the goats were not vaccinated against FMD, routine prophylactic vaccination to maintain an optimum level of herd immunity against FMD is suggested in the region.

Keyword: Foot-and-mouth disease; Goat; Andaman & Nicobar Islands; India.