emergency vaccination as a strategy to control fmd
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Emergency
Vaccination
as a Strategy to
Control
the Spread of FMD
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is
a highly contagious and
economically devastating
livestock disease.
Historically, the costs of
outbreaks – direct, secondary
and tertiary – are massive.
Outbreaks can lead to strict
trade restrictions on the world
market, harming the economy.
The most recent U.S.
outbreak in 1929 had a
devastating effect on
agriculture and the
economy. Thus, it is
imperative to be well
prepared.
Strategies to control an
outbreak may include:
• Emergency vaccination.
• Large-scale slaughter.
Economists at the FAZD
Center used simulation
analysis to evaluate the
use of emergency
vaccination – in addition
to slaughter – as
strategies for slowing the
spread of the FMD virus.
Simulations suggest
emergency vaccination will
slow outbreaks in
California when used in
rings of under 10 or 20
kilometers surrounding the
outbreak site.
The high costs of
emergency vaccination are
offset in these simulations.
Simulations also show
emergency vaccination is
effective in the Texas High
Plains in rings of less than
5 kilometers.
But the high
costs are not
offset in these
simulations.
FAZD Center economists
concluded:
• Emergency vaccination
reduces slaughter, but
generally is not cost effective.
• However, vaccination is a
viable option if the goal is to
reduce the risk of a
catastrophic outcome.
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fazd.tamu.edu