Evolution of FMD Vaccines

The earliest FMD vaccines developed in the 1950s were based on chemically inactivated whole virus grown in live animal tissues. However, these "conventional" vaccines required multiple doses, offered only short-term immunity and carried the risk of transmitting other livestock diseases.

Beginning in the 1980s, scientists started developing "marker" vaccines which could differentiate vaccinated from infected animals using serological tests. These included vaccines made from chemically inactivated virus grown in cell culture or subunit vaccines containing only the immunogenic structural proteins of the virus.

Over the last two decades, further advances have been made. Some of the latest vaccine innovations include:

- Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) vaccines which allow distinction between vaccinated and infected animals with antibodies only against non-structural proteins of the virus.

- Thermostable liquid/freeze-dried vaccines with longer shelf life at higher temperatures suited for tropical conditions.

- Polyvalent vaccines offering protection against multiple FMD virus serotypes simultaneously.

Efficacy and Global Impact of FMD Vaccination

Large-scale field trials and disease control programs globally have validated the efficacy of Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine. Countries that have strictly implemented routine vaccination programs have largely controlled the disease within their borders.

Some examples demonstrating the success of vaccination:

- After introduction of vaccination in 1951, Taiwan and South Korea eradicated FMD and have remained disease-free since the 1990s.

- In India, vaccination programs have successfully contained FMD within defined zones allowing disease-free exports of livestock and products.

- In South America, Uruguay utilizes intensive bi-annual vaccination to remain the only FMD-free country in the region.

On a global scale, widespread vaccination programs by organizations like the FAO and OIE have protected over 500 million cloven-hoofed animals annually reducing FMD impacts manifold. However, around 40% of the world's susceptible livestock population, mainly in Africa and parts of Asia, still remain unvaccinated. Sustained efforts are required for the greater global control of this disease.

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