A New Vaccine for Foot and Mouth Disease

WASHINGTON, US - Scientists believe they have found a new weapon in the ongoing fight against Foot and Mouth disease.
calendar icon 19 March 2008
clock icon 2 minute read

The new vaccine has been developed by scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, the Department of Homeland Security and a U.S. biopharmaceutical company.


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"Although this is still an experimental vaccine, it has made significant developmental progress"
ARS administrator Edward B. Knipling.

They say the new vaccine works quickly, demonstrating effectiveness within seven days. Tests have shown that vaccinated cattle retain immunity for at least 21 days, but scientists expect that future studies will show that the new vaccine at least matches the six months of immunity provided by current vaccines. A report from Agri News has said, the new vaccine has been tested on cattle and swine, and is equally effective in both species.

"This signals tremendous promise," said ARS administrator Edward B. Knipling. "Although this is still an experimental vaccine, it has made significant developmental progress, and we are optimistic about its prospects."

According to Agri News, although the United States has not had an FMD outbreak since 1929, the disease is still considered a serious threat to the nation's economy and food supply.

Significantly, as this is the first FMD vaccine produced in the United States, the federal government can plan adequate supplies for the veterinary strategic stockpile. The vaccine is the first molecular-based FMD vaccine for cattle, developed by scientists with ARS, the Department of Homeland Security's Targeted Advanced Development unit and GenVec, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Gaithersburg, Md. Additional testing is examining the vaccine's commercial viability and effectiveness against the various serotypes of FMD virus.

  • View the Agri News story by clicking here.

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