Determination of economic cost of FMD outbreaks in the case study herds

The FMD economic cost comprised of the control costs (vaccination and treatment of secondary infections in affected cattle herds), losses due to weight loss, abortion, losses in milk production, reduced manure production, salvage sales during the outbreak and mortality. The economic cost of FMD outbreaks in the case study herds were calculated as follows:

Milk yield losses for rainy and dry seasons = Average herd size × % lactating cows × milk yield × % milk reduction.

Herd-specific abortions losses = Average herd size × % Cows ×Average number of calves per year × % calf reduction.

Age-specific mortality losses for bulls, cows, heifers, and calves=Age-specific prices × Herd size × % Composition × % dead.

Age-specific weight losses for bulls, cows, heifers, and calves = Herd size × % Bulls × Average weight of bulls × % weight reduction.

Treatment costs for FMD=Average herd size × % infected × Average cost of treatment per head.

Vaccination costs for FMD = Average herd size × Average cost of vaccination per head × Number of vaccinations per year.

Age-specific salvage sale losses were calculated by considering cattle prices before, during, and after the last FMD outbreak.

Age-specific salvage sale losses for bulls, cows, heifers, and calves (female and male) = Age-specific prices × Herd size × % Composition × % Price reduction.