Project Objectives

Although the Community´s Animal Health Strategy (2007-2013) recognises that significant scientific and logistic advances in animal disease prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control have been made in recent years, including progress in the field of FMD [e.g. through the Sixth Framework Programme projects FMD_ImproCon (SSPE-CT-2003-503603), EPIZONE (FOOD-CT-2006-016236) and the Coordination Action FMD & CSF (SSPE-CT-513755)], some drawbacks persist and need to be tackled to improve food safety aspects, as well as economic and animal welfare considerations. Therefore, the proposed consortium seeks to build upon its expertise gained in the FMD_ImproCon project (SSPE-CT-2003-503603) for addressing the remaining gaps, as identified by ETPGAH, in our current knowledge and expertise regarding the implementation of animal-sparing, FMD vaccine-based control strategies for free and endemic regions, thereby combating the disease at source.

By building on existing knowledge and through project generated data, the project aims to:
  •     (i) improve the quality of existing FMD vaccines and diagnostics,
  •     (ii) refine and replace in vivo vaccine quality tests,
  •     (iii) develop new generation FMD vaccines and diagnostics by cutting edge technology,
  •     (iv) and to increase/enhance our knowledge on FMDV spread and transmission following the use of high-potency monovalent or multivalent vaccines in free and endemic settings.

The role of wildlife (buffalo, gazelles and wild boar) in FMDV maintenance and transmission will also be investigated. More specifically, apart from project management activities, six priority work packages have identified towards which scientific and technological efforts will be directed.

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