FMD is the most dreaded trans-boundary animal disease (TAD) posing continuous threat to food security and livelihood security in the World. The RNA virus exists in multiple antigenic types with continuous mutation in the nature, and hence not easy to control and eradicate. The virus spreads very fast in air to spread the contagion to distant areas. The disease is endemic in India, and FMD control program through vaccination is continuing in the country since 2003-04. The AICRP FMD is the technical arm of the FMD control program and provides laboratory support and epidemiological data on virus occurrence, spread and mutation etc. The AICRP on FMD is continuing since 1971 providing real time virological and epidemiological data that made possible to implement FMD control program, and monitor the success through serological and epidemiological data. FMD virus strains isolated from the field from time to time through the AICRP-FMD network makes it possible to identify alternate candidate vaccine strains to circumvent antigenic mutation occurring in the nature. FMD is not only a disease but a complete subject all over the World. Countries free from FMD in North America and Europe etc spend enough to maintain and update laboratory preparedness, scientific manpower, bio-safety and bio-security. India is a leader in FMD surveillance, diagnosis, virology and epidemiology in the World and functions as FAO Reference Center for FMD in South Asia, and member of all international groups in FMD. The International Center for FMD with high containment BSL 3+/Ag facility will be commissioned soon in 2017 for safe handling and storage of live FMD virus, as escape of a single virion can infect and cause disease in disease free zones (DFZ) maintained without vaccination. In view of the progressive decrease in occurrence of FMD due to regular vaccination, the AICRP on FMD need to be strengthened so that intensive surveillance is made in the controlled areas to monitor possible virus re-introduction from surrounding areas, and identification and segregation of carrier animals in vaccinated populations.
(AICRP-FMD)
