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Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the biggest threats to animal health in
European countries. In the last 22 years (1985–2006), FMD has occurred 37
times in 14 European countries. Serotype O was most frequently involved in
these outbreaks followed by A, C and Asia 1. Sometimes, epidemics were very
limited and at other times, they were the cause of devastating economic losses.
In most cases (22/37), the origin of the outbreaks could not be determined. For
some of these outbreaks, however, routes of introduction and spread were
identified through epidemiological inquiries. Moreover, in some cases, the
origin of the virus was also traced by phylogenetic analysis of the partial or
complete sequences of VP1 genes. Lessons learned from the outbreaks are still
useful as most of the same risk factors persist. However, efforts made by
FMD-free countries to help those where the disease is endemic are a valuable
strategy for the reduction of the global risk. The present and the future potential
sources of FMD infection need to be identified to best focus European efforts. |
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