Prevention and Control of Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease is an OIE List A disease .  List A diseases are rapidly spreading diseases of major economic or public health consequence. 

Prevention and control of Foot and Mouth disease consists of biosecurity and vaccination.

1. Biosecurity
   • Restriction of the movement of animals between FMD endemic and FMD free areas
   • Slaughter of infected, recovered, and FMD-susceptible contact animals
   • Disinfection of premises and all infected material (implements, cars, clothes)
   • Destruction of cadavers, litter, and susceptible animal products in the infected area
   • Quarantine measures
     
     
2. Vaccination
   • Inactivated virus vaccine containing an adjuvant.
     

The OIE Animal Health Code describes measures in case of Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks in countries that practice vaccination and those that do not. See the OIE website Terrestrial Animal Health Code for details.

Outbreaks in FMD free countries

Outbreaks of FMD have been controlled in the past by a “stamping out policy”. This involved the mass culling of infected and possible in-contact animals.

During the 2001 outbreaks in the EU, the mass slaughter of infected as well as healthy animals was met with fierce protest from the public, farmers and veterinarians. Protests were on the grounds of emotional, ethical and economical reasons. The massive culling process and disposal of carcasses also presented a logistical nightmare.

In some countries emergency vaccination in conjunction with culling has been used as a control measure. See Outbreak in The Netherlands, 2001 in 
Previous Outbreaks. New EU legislation from September 2003 now allows for "vaccination to live" in an FMD outbreak. For detail see Laws.