South-East Asia and China Food and Mouth Disease (SEACFMD) Campaign
Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious, acute viral disease. FMD is characterized by the formation of vesicles (fluid-blisters) and erosions in the mouth and on the nose, teats and feet. Although it is rarely fatal in adult animals, it causes serious production losses and is a major constraint in international trade.
FMD virus (FMDV) mainly affects members of the order Artiodactyla (cloven-hooved mammals). Most species in this order are thought to be susceptible to some degree. Important livestock hosts include cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, water buffalo and yaks. Wildlife species like wild boar, deer, African buffalo are also susceptible to FMD.
FMD is not readily transmissible to humans and is not a public health risk.
FMD is endemic in several parts of Asia. Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, New Caledonia, Brunei, and Vanuatu are currently free of FMD. However, FMD is a transboundary animal disease that can occur sporadically in any areas currently free of the disease.
FMD is the first disease for which the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) established an official list of disease-free countries. Through a transparent, science-based and impartial procedure, countries/territories can be officially recognised as free of the disease either in their entirety or in defined zones and compartments.
List of FMD free Members (According to Resolution No. 7 June 2020)
Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, New Caledonia, Brunei, Vanuatu
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Chinese Taipei (Map); Malaysia (Map);
Chinese Taipei (Map)
List of Members with endorsed official control programme for FMD （According to Resolution No. 8 May 2020)
China (People’s Rep. of), India, Thailand
For more information: Official WOAH status with respect to FMD
In Asia and the Pacific region, there are 3 WOAH Reference Laboratories for FMD, which are in China, Korea(RO) and Thailand. They provide technical advice and can offer training opportunities for personnel from WOAH Members. They coordinate studies to progress scientific and technical understanding and capacity building in collaboration with other laboratories or organisations, including through the Laboratory Twinning programmes. Members in the Asia and Pacific Region have been submitting FMD samples (free-of-cost) for disease confirmation and molecular characterization to Reference Laboratories. This has greatly strengthened surveillance, diagnosis and implementation of control activities.
