FMD Comes In Many Different Forms

You may not know this about the virus known as "Foot and Mouth Disease".

There are 24 different strains that can possibly infect cattle and sheep, goats and swine," said USDA Chief Veterinarian Jack Shere.

In fact, the live FMD virus was only allowed in the U-S at the Agriculture Department's Plum Island Animal Disease Center, where it was studied and worked with to develop possible vaccines in the event of an outbreak.  That is, until Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue's announcement last week to authorize movement of a modified, non-infectious version of F-M-D from Plum Island to the U-S mainland to continue vaccine development and study.

That authorization is required by law, even though the live strain of FMD virus to be moved is unable to cause or transmit disease.  The reason this particular FMD strain is not infectious, is advanced technology via genetic modification to make it such.  This, in turn, will allow vaccine development within the mainland U.S. instead of relying on overseas sources.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com