Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of ruminants, posing a persistent challenge to global animal health. Despite significant investments in control measures and vaccination, many countries continue to report frequent outbreaks, highlighting the need for improved strategies and innovative tools to combat the disease effectively.
FMD remains endemic in over 100 countries spanning Africa, Asia, West Eurasia, the Middle East, and South America. The ongoing emergence and re-emergence of viral strains, coupled with their transmission across borders, further complicates control efforts. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), among its 182 member countries, 68 are officially recognised as FMD-free (67 without vaccination and 1 with vaccination), while 13 countries have FMD-free zones with or without vaccination. However, 98 countries lack official FMD-free status, underscoring uneven progress toward global control.
Recognising the critical need to address gaps in knowledge, the Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Alliance (GFRA) organised a workshop to conduct a comprehensive analysis of research gaps related to FMD control (https://www.ars.usda.gov/GFRA/events.htm). This effort brought together international experts to evaluate the current state of knowledge and identify priorities for advancing countermeasures. The focus was on improving outbreak mitigation in FMD-free areas and supporting eradication efforts in endemic regions, addressing topics as pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunology, vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics.
This Special Collection in Veterinary Research presents a collection of reviews derived from the GFRA research gap analysis. The articles provide updates on key advances in FMD biology, pathogenesis, immune responses, and disease control strategies over the past five years. These reviews aim to guide scientists and policymakers in identifying future research priorities to enhance FMD management and alleviate its economic burden on livestock farmers worldwide.
This Collection will also include recent research articles and reviews on FMD.
By addressing these research gaps, the GFRA and its collaborators contribute to global efforts aimed at developing innovative tools and strategies to control and ultimately eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.
