Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a significant threat to food security and livestock production, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is endemic. This study provides the first report on the serotypes of FMD Virus (FMDV) circulating in small ruminants in Benue State, Nigeria, using the solid-phase competitive ELISA (SPCE). Among 64 FMDV-positive serum samples, serotype O was the most prevalent (57.8%, 95% CI: 45.6–69.1), followed by unidentified (UI) serotypes (37.5%), SAT-1 (32.8%), and serotype A (14.1%), with the substantial UI serotype proportion suggesting the likely circulation of additional serotypes beyond this study's diagnostic panel. Serotype O predominated in both sheep (73.7%) and goats (51.1%), while SAT-1 was more prevalent in sheep (52.6%) and UI status more prevalent in goats (44.4%). Geographic variation was significant (p < 0.05): Makurdi recorded the highest O and SAT-1 prevalence (72.4% and 51.7%), with SAT-1 specifically higher in Makurdi than Otukpo after correction for multiple comparisons (p_adj = 0.045), while UI status dominated in Otukpo (60.0%). Species-specific breed groups and species-specific sex groups were each significantly associated with serotype A and SAT-1 positivity (p < 0.05), and species-specific age group was significantly associated with serotype O and UI status, with UI status specifically elevated among 2–3-year-old goats relative to both younger goats and older sheep (p_adj = 0.040). These findings represent an incremental contribution to understanding FMD epidemiology in non-cattle reservoirs in Nigeria, underscoring the need for expanded diagnostic panels, multivalent vaccines, and the inclusion of small ruminants in national FMD surveillance and control programs. All generated serological datasets and laboratory protocols are provided within the article and supplementary file.