Roadmap for the research to underpin the development of control strategies for FMD

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

To develop improved vaccines, therapeutics, biosecurity measures and disinfectants for controlling FMD.

What are the scientific and technological challenges (knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

• Develop improved vaccines.
• Develop effective bio-therapeutics.
• Develop effective disinfectants.

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Currently available control tools have enabled FMD eradication in much of the developed world; however, in many developing countries, FMD remains uncontrolled. In these settings, the biosecurity measures that have been
fundamental to successful FMD control in the developed world can seldom be implemented effectively.
Vaccines play a vital role in FMD control, used both to limit the spread of the virus during epidemics in FMD-free countries and as the mainstay of disease management in endemic regions, particularly where sanitary controls are difficult to apply. As it takes a few days for the immune system to respond to vaccination, in an outbreak situation, protection could potentially be provided in this period by the application of rapid, shortacting biotherapeutics, aiming either to stimulate a non-specific antiviral state in the animal or to specifically inhibit a part of the viral life cycle.
Effective disinfectants for FMDV have long been available, but research is being conducted to further develop methods for quantitatively evaluating
their performance under field, or near-field, conditions. Effective
disinfectants for FMDV have long been available, but research is being
conducted to further develop methods for quantitatively evaluating their
performance under field, or near-field, conditions.