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 reliable and comprehensive FMD surveillance systems to collect and analyse information

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

• Apply a sequence-based approach to estimate the true prevalence of different lineages.
• Develop and implement surveillance systems, including the implementation of quick, simple, cost-effective pipelines for collection and submission of good quality samples for early recognition of signs, or to find evidence using antigen detection, antibody, or virus detection.
• Monitor populations of susceptible wildlife species.
• Define sampling density that is required to “accurately” describe endemic FMD circulation (genomic data).
• Investigate the mechanisms of emergence of viruses, such as the India 2001, which became very successful replacing all other serotype O strains.

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

For what concerns the spread of India 2001, it is possible that this lineage is very good at causing subclinical infections and perhaps that is the key to its success.

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

• Reliable comprehensive international surveillance systems to collect and analyse information.
• Quality of veterinary services.
• Collaboration with endemic countries.
• Funding availability to ensure sustainability.
• I&R

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Good surveillance is needed for early detection of outbreaks and to provide knowledge of the distribution of disease in
order to direct control measures. Several studies assessed surveillance data and its use in disease management