Scientific corner
A new approach to foot-and-mouth disease serotype C: towards establishing extinction
Dr Cédric Dézier VPH Technical Service Director Veterinary Public Health Center
Current evidence and risk assessment The taskforce has been analyzing surveillance data from the WRLFMD and the Network, spanning from 1942 to 2021. The risk assessment process involves making certain epidemiological assumptions, such as the equal risk of introduction for serotype C across years. It also uses three detection prevalence thresholds (1%, 2%, and 5%) to test the 95% probability of detecting serotype C. Preliminary results support the claim of serotype C extinction in all seven pools when data is unstratified by year and country. However, when looking at specific countries without considering the year, the evidence becomes less well supported. Many countries do not reach the 95% probability at the different prevalence thresholds. Challenges and future directions Proving the extinction of a disease serotype is a complex task. It requires comprehensive and continuous surveillance, as well as robust data analysis. The limitations of current data and the need for more extensive surveillance are challenges that need to be addressed.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, with severe implications for livestock industries worldwide. Among the seven serotypes of FMD, serotype C has not been detected since 2004, leading to speculation about its extinction. A new initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) aims to substantiate this claim, marking a significant shift in our approach to managing this disease. The taskforce and its phases In 2022, a taskforce comprising members from FAO, WOAH, and the World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease (WRLFMD) has been established to spearhead this initiative. The taskforce’s work is divided into two phases. The first phase involves gathering evidence and measuring the risk associated with serotype C. The second phase focuses on reducing this risk, if any, and maintaining preparedness for potential outbreaks.
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