A Simulation Study of the Use of Vaccination to Control Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks Across Australia

This study examines the potential for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control strategies that incorporate vaccination to manage FMD spread for a range of incursion scenarios across Australia. Stakeholder consultation was used to formulate control strategies and incursion scenarios to ensure relevance to the diverse range of Australian livestock production regions and management systems. The Australian Animal Disease Spread model (AADIS) was used to compare nine control strategies for 13 incursion scenarios, including seven control strategies incorporating vaccination. The control strategies with vaccination differed in terms of their approaches for targeting areas and species. These strategies are compared with two benchmark strategies based on stamping out only. Outbreak size and duration were compared in terms of the total number of infected premises, the duration of the control stage of an FMD outbreak, and the number of vaccinated animals. The three key findings from this analysis are as follows: (1) smaller outbreaks can be effectively managed by stamping out without vaccination, (2) the size and duration of larger outbreaks can be significantly reduced when vaccination is used, and (3) different vaccination strategies produced similar reductions in the size and duration of an outbreak, but the number of animals vaccinated varied. Under current international standards for regaining FMD-free status, vaccinated animals need to be removed from the population at the end of the outbreak to minimize trade impacts. We have shown that selective, targeted vaccination strategies could achieve effective FMD control while significantly reducing the number of animals vaccinated.

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Evaluating vaccination strategies to control foot-and-mouth disease: a model comparison study

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268814001927 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 143 (6) ◽

pp. 1256-1275 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

S. E. ROCHE ◽

M. G. GARNER ◽

R. L. SANSON ◽

C. COOK ◽

C. BIRCH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Model Comparison ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Foot And Mouth Disease ◽

Simulation Models ◽

Control Programme ◽

Mouth Disease ◽

Considerable Uncertainty ◽

Vaccination Strategies ◽

Epidemic Size ◽

Foot And Mouth

SUMMARYSimulation models can offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of different control strategies and act as important decision support tools when comparing and evaluating outbreak scenarios and control strategies. An international modelling study was performed to compare a range of vaccination strategies in the control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Modelling groups from five countries (Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, The Netherlands) participated in the study. Vaccination is increasingly being recognized as a potentially important tool in the control of FMD, although there is considerable uncertainty as to how and when it should be used. We sought to compare model outputs and assess the effectiveness of different vaccination strategies in the control of FMD. Using a standardized outbreak scenario based on data from an FMD exercise in the UK in 2010, the study showed general agreement between respective models in terms of the effectiveness of vaccination. Under the scenario assumptions, all models demonstrated that vaccination with ‘stamping-out’ of infected premises led to a significant reduction in predicted epidemic size and duration compared to the ‘stamping-out’ strategy alone. For all models there were advantages in vaccinating cattle-only rather than all species, using 3-km vaccination rings immediately around infected premises, and starting vaccination earlier in the control programme. This study has shown that certain vaccination strategies are robust even to substantial differences in model configurations. This result should increase end-user confidence in conclusions drawn from model outputs. These results can be used to support and develop effective policies for FMD control.

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What Are the Human Resources Required to Control a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Austria?

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.727209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Tatiana Marschik ◽

Ian Kopacka ◽

Simon Stockreiter ◽

Friedrich Schmoll ◽

Jörg Hiesel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Resources ◽

Foot And Mouth Disease ◽

Disease Outbreak ◽

Mouth Disease ◽

Control Measures ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Contingency Planning ◽

Spread Model ◽

Foot And Mouth ◽

Operational Activities

Contingency planning allows veterinary authorities to prepare a rapid response in the event of a disease outbreak. A recently published foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) simulation study indicated concerns whether capacity was sufficient to control a potential FMD epidemic in Austria. The objectives of the study presented here were to estimate the human resources required to implement FMD control measures and to identify areas of the operational activities that could potentially delay successful control of the disease. The stochastic spatial simulation model EuFMDiS (The European Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread Model) was used to simulate a potential FMD outbreak and its economic impact, including different control scenarios based on variations of culling, vaccination, and pre-emptive depopulation. In this context, the utilization of human resources was assessed based on the associated EuFMDiS output regarding the performance of operational activities. The assessments show that the number of personnel needed in an outbreak with a stamping-out policy would reach the peak at the end of the second week of control with a median of 540 (257–926) individuals, out of which 31% would be veterinarians. Approximately 58% of these human resources would be attributable to surveillance, followed by staff for cleaning and disinfection activities. Our analysis demonstrates that, of the operational activities, surveillance personnel were the largest factor influencing the magnitude of the outbreak. The aim of the assessment presented here is to assist veterinary authorities in the contingency planning of required human resources to respond effectively to an outbreak of animal diseases such as FMD.

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The Epidemiological and Economic Impact of a Potential Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Austria

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2020.594753 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Tatiana Marschik ◽

Ian Kopacka ◽

Simon Stockreiter ◽

Friedrich Schmoll ◽

Jörg Hiesel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Impact ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Foot And Mouth Disease ◽

Mouth Disease ◽

Control Measures ◽

Effective Control ◽

Trade Restrictions ◽

Economic Point ◽

Spread Model ◽

Foot And Mouth

An outbreak of foot-and mouth disease (FMD) in an FMD-free country such as Austria would likely have serious consequences for the national livestock sector and economy. The objective of this study was to analyse the epidemiological and economic impact of an FMD outbreak in Austria in order to (i) evaluate the effectiveness of different control measures in two Austrian regions with different livestock structure and density, (ii) analyse the associated costs of the control measures and the losses resulting from trade restrictions on livestock and livestock products and (iii) assess the resources that would be required to control the FMD outbreak. The European Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread Model (EuFMDiS) was used to simulate a potential FMD outbreak. Based on the epidemiological outputs of the model, the economic impact of the outbreak was assessed. The analysis of the simulations showed that the success of control strategies depends largely on the type of control measures, the geographical location, the availability of sufficient resources, and the speed of intervention. The comparison of different control strategies suggested that from an economic point of view the implementation of additional control measures, such as pre-emptive depopulation of susceptible herds, would be efficient if the epidemic started in an area with high livestock density. Depending on the chosen control measures and the affected region, the majority of the total costs would be attributable to export losses (e.g., each day of an FMD epidemic costs Austria € 9–16 million). Our analysis indicated that the currently estimated resources for surveillance, cleaning, and disinfection during an FMD outbreak in Austria would be insufficient, which would lead to an extended epidemic control duration. We have shown that the control of an FMD outbreak can be improved by implementing a contingency strategy adapted to the affected region and by placing particular focus on an optimal resource allocation and rapid detection of the disease in Austria. The model results can assist veterinary authorities in planning resources and implementing cost-effective control measures for future outbreaks of highly contagious viral diseases.

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BENEFITS OF AN ANIMAL TRACEABILITY SYSTEM FOR A FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE OUTBREAK: A SUPPLY-DRIVEN SOCIAL ACCOUNTING MATRIX APPROACH

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics ◽

10.1017/aae.2017.7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 438-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MAN-KEUN KIM ◽

C. MICHAEL UKKESTAD ◽

HERNAN A. TEJEDA ◽

DEEVON BAILEY

Keyword(s):

Foot And Mouth Disease ◽

The United States ◽

Mouth Disease ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Social Accounting Matrix ◽

Social Accounting ◽

Traceability System ◽

Spread Model ◽

Foot And Mouth ◽

The Impact

AbstractThis study reports the findings for an analysis using the computer program NAADSM (North American Animal Disease Spread Model) and a supply-driven social accounting matrix to examine the impact of a hypothetical foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in a relatively isolated part of the United States, Utah, under various levels of livestock traceability. The analysis demonstrates that a significant regional economic impact in Utah would result from an FMD outbreak but that improved levels of traceability would be very important in helping to reduce the negative economic consequences of the outbreak.

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Modelling vaccination strategies against foot-and-mouth disease

Nature ◽

10.1038/nature01343 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 421 (6919) ◽

pp. 136-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 274

Author(s):

M. J. Keeling ◽

M. E. J. Woolhouse ◽

R. M. May ◽

G. Davies ◽

B. T. Grenfell

Keyword(s):

Foot And Mouth Disease ◽

Mouth Disease ◽

Vaccination Strategies ◽

Foot And Mouth

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Innate Immune Defenses Induced by CpG Do Not Promote Vaccine-Induced Protection against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Pigs

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00018-09 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 1151-1157 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

M. P. Alves ◽

L. Guzylack-Piriou ◽

V. Juillard ◽

J.-C. Audonnet ◽

T. Doel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Virus ◽

Large Scale ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Foot And Mouth Disease ◽

Mouth Disease ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Noticeable Effect ◽

Mouth Disease Virus ◽

Foot And Mouth ◽

Natural Hosts

ABSTRACT Emergency vaccination as part of the control strategies against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has the potential to limit virus spread and reduce large-scale culling. To reduce the time between vaccination and the onset of immunity, immunostimulatory CpG was tested for its capacity to promote early protection against FMDV challenge in pigs. To this end, CpG 2142, an efficient inducer of alpha interferon, was injected intramuscularly. Increased transcription of Mx1, OAS, and IRF-7 was identified as a sensitive measurement of CpG-induced innate immunity, with increased levels detectable to at least 4 days after injection of CpG formulated with Emulsigen. Despite this, CpG combined with an FMD vaccine did not promote protection. Pigs vaccinated 2 days before challenge had disease development, which was at least as acute as that of unvaccinated controls. All pigs vaccinated 7 days before challenge were protected without a noticeable effect of CpG. In summary, our results demonstrate the caution required when translating findings from mouse models to natural hosts of FMDV.

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