The first step in the PRAGMATIST tool is to assign Source Area Scores. The source areas correspond to the geographic extent of each FMD endemic virus pool, with an additional area encompassing specific countries in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya).

The SAS should be populated by the vaccine bank manager (the user) to address the particular risks of FMD introduction into the country or region covered by the antigen bank. The user allocates 100 points among the potential source areas, giving more points to the areas they consider a higher likelihood of being the source of an incursion. If a source area is not considered important, then it can be allocated zero points. The tool does not prescribe how the SAS should be defined, but expert elicitation can be used, engaging those knowledgeable about transboundary trade and other risk pathways into the target region.

Default scores are based on expert elicitation conducted by WRLFMD and EuFMD. Users can modify scores according to their needs

The second step in the tool is the Lineage Distribution Score which specifies the distribution of specific FMDV lineages circulating within each source area. Viral lineages considered most important for transboundary spread are included as default. The LDS provides an estimate of how often each lineage would be detected if 100 FMDV-infected animals were randomly selected from a source area in the previous year.

To define the LDS, each source area is allocated 100 points, which are divided between the different FMDV lineages circulating in that area. The default scores are based on data generated through FMD regional surveillance activities. These values are discussed and updated at each annual meeting of the WOAH/FAO Reference Laboratory Network (www.foot-and-mouth.org) and reviewed and reported quarterly by the WRLFMD.However, the user can modify this list, adding or removing lineages according to needs.

The Vaccine Coverage Score reflects whether a specific FMD vaccine is likely to provide protection against each of the FMDV lineages. Consequently, the VCS is given for each combination of vaccine and viral lineage included in the tool and is calculated as the proportion of field isolates from each particular lineage that antigenically match the vaccine in question (r1 value of ≥ 0.3).

Default scores are based on routine vaccine matching studies undertaken by the WRLFMD. However, the user can modify this list, adding or removing vaccines with their r1 values according to needs.