We describe detection of SAT2 topotype XIV foot-and-mouth disease viruses in western Asia during 2022-2023. Sequences show the viruses originated in eastern Africa and were introduced into western Asia on >1 occasion. The rapid spread in naive animals highlights risks for onward transmission and potential endemicity in Asia.
Keywords: eastern Africa; foot-and-mouth disease; molecular epidemiology; real-time RT-PCR; serotype SAT2; viruses; western Asia.