Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine is proving to be a breakthrough in maintaining the production value of livestock

 

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a mild, contagious viral infection, which is commonly observed among young children and is characterized by sores in the mouth and rash on the feet and hands. Foot and mouth disease is widely contagious in animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and pigs being the most affected. There is a specific treatment for FMD, although after recovering animals lose their production value. Therefore, vaccination plays a crucial role in keeping the production value of livestock. For years, Foot and Mouth Disease has been known to infect livestock, although it was always thought to only come from infected birds. In the past, Foot and Mouth Disease was considered "untreatable" and was not commonly-diagnosed in humans.

The benefits of the Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine are numerous. Animal producers and owners do not have to worry about giving their animals’ drugs and medication, as the animal will naturally get immunity from the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine. Many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have developed foot and mouth disease vaccines and are waiting for regulatory approval. Many countries including the U.K., Italy, and the U.S. have been involved in the development of vaccines. Recently in the U.K., the Pirbright Institute and its research partners granted a commercial license to MSD Animal Health for the affordable vaccine to protect livestock against foot and mouth disease.

According to the researchers, this new vaccine is more stable than its predecessors and is less dependent on a cold-chain during vaccine distribution. This vaccine has been developed over the years with collaboration between the University of Oxford, Pirbright, Diamond Light Source, MSD Animal Health, and the University of Reading. The research and development activities continue in the above-mentioned countries. Since the regulatory policies for the approval of these vaccines are stringent, the availability of a new vaccine is very low.