New foot and mouth vaccine will eliminate mass culls in outbreaks

The Pirbright Institute and its research partners have granted MSD Animal Health an exclusive commercial licence for a new, effective and affordable vaccine to protect livestock against several serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV).

The vaccine facilitates differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals, such that trade would not be hindered by a vaccination programme. This breakthrough will eliminate the need for mass culling in the event of an outbreak.