Controlling a Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Threat

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease that affects cattle, pigs, small ruminants, and wildlife, and it’s considered a global threat to agriculture. Although FMD was eradicated in the United States in 1929, its reintroduction would result in an estimated $200 billion in lost revenue over 10 years.

ARS scientists have developed an effective vaccine that could be produced and stored in the United States in the event of an outbreak. They have also developed a companion diagnostic test for the vaccine that will allow veterinarians and regulatory officials to tell the difference between vaccinated and infected animals—critical if an outbreak were to occur so that vaccinated animals need not be culled.

This is the first licensed FMD diagnostic kit approved for manufacturing in the United States. Such breakthroughs will provide veterinarians and first responders with new countermeasures for quickly controlling an outbreak.

Related Information

Research Project: Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus Diagnostic Test Development in Uganda