Foot-and-mouth disease surveillance in vietnam - foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most important agriculture-associated disease in the world due to extreme contagiousness, broad species range and…

Foot-and-mouth disease surveillance in vietnam - foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most important agriculture-associated disease in the world due to extreme contagiousness, broad species range and tremendous economic consequence associated with introduction into disease-free zones. The disease is endemic in vietnam which has varying incidence of outbreaks of fmdv serotypes O, a and asia 1. Currently, there is little information regarding disease persistence in asian buffalo and cattle as reservoirs. This collaborative research project between ARS, piadc and the department of animal health (DAH), vietnam, seeks to generate knowledge of genetic and antigenic trends of foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDVS) circulating and emerging in vietnam and across southeast asia. Information generated will be used to enhance vietnam's ability to control FMD and facilitate preparedness of USA for accidental or intentional introduction of novel fmdv strains. Specific objectives include: 1. Continuation of analysis of samples collected under research agreement 58-1940-0-070F "molecular epidemiology, surveillance and predictive tools for FMD control in vietnam." 2. Field sample collection from asymptomatic cattle and asian buffalo to determine applicability as routine manner of fmdv surveillance in vietnam. 3. Survey and analyze FMDVS associated with outbreaks in vietnam. 4. Conduct capacity building for department of animal health (DAH) staff in virus sequencing and antigen matching. 5. Sequence viruses collected through surveillance program for phylogenetic analysis. 6. Collect slaughterhouse samples to evaluate utility as routine manner of fmdv surveillance in vietnam.