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 define and quantify the spread, emergence, and transmission of FMDV lineages in different epidemiological contexts

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

• Integrate molecular data with complimentary datasets (meta data) for field epidemiology to facilitate conversion of phylogenetic tree into transmission trees for use of genetic data during ongoing epidemics and to understanding endemic circulation of strains at a fine scale.
• Use seroprevalence studies ins several species allowing comparison among cases.
• Assess the role of goats in different epidemiological situation.
• Formulate models predicting the spread (and emergence) of FMDV lineages (e.g. accommodating sequences, immune status, trading patterns) and highlighting risk.
• Define the meaning of the genetic variants (topotypes) and new lineages, like for instance, identify genetic determinants of phenotypical treats (virulence, host range, adaptation, neutralisation).

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

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

• Adequate surveillance.
• Improved knowledge on FMD epidemiology.

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

During the recent years there have been advances identifying low scale genetic tracking of outbreaks, application of NGS to epidemiological studies, estimation of unbiased prevalence for better control FMD, include recombination in the equation of phylogenetic analysis, managing meta-data to facilitate understanding of endemic settings, and integrating molecular epidemiology with vaccine matching and serology.