Foot-and-mouth disease is an economically important viral disease in animals. It is shown that airborne diffusion is one of the main sources of contamination between animals and between herds. Epidemiological data linked to viral particle excretion can thus be used in a predictive model, added to meteorological data related to the few days before the slaughter of animals. The model computes, on...

This literature revision is intended to discuss the importance of health education as a strategy to oral health promotion in the pregnancy period. The most common mouth manifestations during pregnancy have been studied, and the conclusion is that, although pregnancy itself is not responsible for such manifestations in the mouth, e.g. dental decay and periodontal diseases, a dentistry follow-up ...

Fading immune protection in farmed animals may present a problem, particularly in free-ranging animals in nomadic and transhumant pastoral systems, where animals are not readily available for large-scale blanket vaccination programmes. Two veterinary examples of fading immune protection are discussed: rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Both are devastating viral diseases of cattle tha...

The fact that foot and mouth disease is highly contagious, easily spread and of major commercial importance makes it a redoubtable challenge for animal health in South American countries and the world over. A number of factors impact directly on the effectiveness of national programmes to eradicate foot and mouth disease. Therefore, in order to meet the challenges posed by today's globalised wo...

The prevalence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Asia has been reviewed and the need for a coordinated control program at the regional and sub-regional is evident. The feasibility and willingness of governments and agencies provided financial support for the control program as well as the livestock producers cooperating with the program are essential in ensuring a successful FMD control progra...

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is the major disease barrier to international trade in animals and animal products. Countries free of the disease take severe measures to exclude the virus, to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of an outbreak, particularly for the animal export trade. Consequently, FMD-free countries either refuse to trade with sporadically or endemically infected count...

As Swine veterinarians and members of the agricultural sector we all have a vital stake in the future of animal health especially in the production animal segment. Underlying this philosophy is need for “better solutions” to some of the problems affecting livestock generally and swine industry specifically. In this context, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been an enduring disease control prior...

The ethical issues surrounding slaughter as a means of control of a disease epidemic are discussed and the use of this method as at least one component of the eradication of foot and mouth disease (FMD) is justified. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received numerous complaints of suffering at slaughter during the FMD epidemic in the United Kingdom in 2001 but none led...