Since August 2007, several cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle have been confirmed in the United Kingdom. The causative FMD virus strain has been found to be strongly related to that used for the production of vaccines at the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) located at Pirbright, which is in close vicinity to the affected farms. The Ceditest^® FMDV-NS is being applied to control the FMD outbreak.

The strain responsible for the latest outbreak of FMD in the United Kingdom (UK) is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories. The virus is believed to have been released from the Pirbright research facilities in the UK. Following the outbreak, protection zones were put in place around the neighboring farms to the Pirbright site to contain the spread of the disease. An outbreak of FMD wreaked havoc across the UK in 2001 which resulted in the destruction of approximately 10 million animals and economic losses as high as £8.5 billion.

Prionics test used to control FMD outbreak
Some months ago, Prionics signed an agreement with the Veterinary Authorities in the UK which guarantees a rapid supply of diagnostic tests in the event of an outbreak of FMD. At its facilities in Lelystad (Netherlands), Prionics keeps significant stocks of biologicals in order to respond quickly to disease outbreaks. The test for the early detection of FMD is currently being supplied to the United Kingdom to contain the further spread of this highly contagious disease. Neighboring countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and Spain are now ordering both Ceditest^® FMDV-NS and Ceditest^® FMDV type O diagnostic kits as a precautionary measure.

Through the application of our FMD tests in the recent crisis, Prionics plays an active role in efforts to contain this highly contagious disease and contributes to improved consumer protection.