Hoof & Mouth vaccination

[Marco Anglesio]

On Sun, 1 Apr 2001, Michael Perelman wrote:

> Once an animal is vaccinated, it will test positively for the disease.

I think that there are two reasons. One is, as Michael said, a vaccinated
animal will test positive on the current H&M screens. The second is that
an animal which is vaccinated while infected will continue to shed virus
as a carrier. (This is, for obvious reasons, even worse than an openly
infected animal).

The EU made vaccination illegal for reasons of trade. If a nation is
H&M-free without vaccination, it can export meat and dairy to any other
nation. If it is H&M free with vaccination, some restrictions on trade are
present, and if a H&M outbreak occurs H&M-free nations will bar meat and
dairy products outright.

Interesting that an ancient disease is making headlines. Perhaps research
enthusiasm for Hoof & Mouth will heat up accordingly.

Marco

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