Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affects domesticated and wild, cloven-footed animals. It was first shown to be caused by a virus (foot-and-mouth disease virus, FMDV) in 1897
In the 1920s scientists in France and Germany demonstrated that FMDV had three different serotypes (O, A and C), while during the 1940s and 1950s four more serotypes [Southern African Territories (SAT) 1, SAT 2, SAT 3 and Asia 1] were discovered by the former Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Institute in Pirbright, United Kingdom (nowadays renamed as The Pirbright Institute). Genetic and antigenic analyses of the virus have led to further subdivision of each serotype into various topotypes and lineages. In addition, circulation and evolution of specific FMDV lineages is geographically clustered into seven endemic pools of infection.
FMD occurs in many parts of the world and especially in developing countries in Africa and Asia. North America, European countries, Australia, New Zealand and many island states are recognised as being FMD-free. A list of WOAH Member Countries officially recognised free from FMD can be accessed from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) website.
Further FMD info and resources can be obtained from the FAO World Reference Laboratory for FMD (WRLFMD) and the WOAH/FAO FMD Reference Laboratory Network websites.
The WOAH and FAO have designated reference laboratories with scientific and technical expertise within the areas of animal health, public health and zootechnics to help prevent, control and eradicate FMD.
Designated in 1958, the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (WRLFMD) is a FAO Reference Center and WOAH Reference Laboratory for FMD at The Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom.
