Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

· FMD is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. The disease is absent in North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand due to strict biosecurity measures and effective eradication programs. The epidemiological pattern of FMD varies with geographic region, serotype prevalence, and livestock management practices.

· The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has established a framework for FMD control known as the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP-FMD), which helps endemic countries improve their control strategies and progress toward eradication.

·  Outbreaks often result from illegal animal movement, porous borders, inadequate veterinary infrastructure, and insufficient vaccination coverage. Wildlife reservoirs, particularly African buffalo in sub-Saharan Africa, contribute to the persistence and spread of the virus in certain regions.