Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

- Etiology and Virus Characteristics

·   FMD is caused by the Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), a member of the genus Aphthovirus within the family Picornaviridae. The virus is a non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus with high genetic and antigenic variability.

·   There are seven serotypes of FMDV: A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1. Each serotype contains multiple subtypes, and immunity is serotype-specific, meaning infection or vaccination against one serotype does not confer protection against others.

·  The virus is highly labile under certain environmental conditions, especially in cooler temperatures and acidic environments. This contributes to its ability to persist in contaminated environments, animal products, and fomites, making control and eradication difficult.