The work of PIADC scientists, utilizing their specialized facilities and expertise, is critical in combating Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), and other transboundary animal diseases that pose significant threats to our agricultural and food industries. Accurate and timely animal diagnosis is at the heart of this defense, enabling rapid response and control measures.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) stands as a highly contagious viral threat to cloven-hoofed animals, encompassing cattle, swine, and deer. An FMD outbreak could trigger devastating economic repercussions, crippling animal production, jeopardizing food security, and disrupting international trade in animals and animal products. Recognizing the urgency, PIADC scientists achieved a breakthrough in animal diagnosis and prevention by developing the first licensed FMD vaccine in 2012 that eliminates the need for live FMDV during production. This landmark achievement allowed for the safe production of next-generation FMD vaccines on U.S. soil, marking a significant advancement in proactive animal diagnosis strategies. Further enhancing diagnostic capabilities, in 2017, PIADC scientists, in collaboration with Texas A&M and industry partners, co-developed a rapid, laboratory-based diagnostic test. This innovative tool, designed to distinguish between infected and vaccinated animals, received product licensure and provides animal health responders with a crucial instrument for effective outbreak mitigation and informed animal diagnosis in the field.
African Swine Fever (ASF) presents another grave concern. This highly transmissible viral hemorrhagic disease inflicts near-total mortality in swine and has rapidly spread across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Although currently absent in the United States, a domestic ASF outbreak would halt U.S. pork exports and inflict billions of dollars in economic losses from disease control efforts. To counter this escalating global threat, an interagency ASF Task Force was established at PIADC. This collaborative effort, uniting DHS S&T, USDA APHIS, and USDA ARS, aims to enhance coordination and resource utilization at PIADC to effectively address the ASF threat. The Task Force’s key priorities center on strengthening animal diagnosis and response mechanisms:
- Accelerating vaccine development and production for proactive disease management.
- Enhancing diagnostic testing for faster and more accurate animal diagnosis.
- Bolstering national preparedness and response capabilities to effectively manage outbreaks.
- Evaluating commercially available disinfectants to determine their efficacy against the ASF virus, supporting robust outbreak response protocols.
For comprehensive information on the current understanding of ASF, consult the ASF Master Question List. Through continuous innovation in animal diagnosis and proactive research, PIADC remains at the forefront of safeguarding animal health and protecting vital agricultural industries from the devastating impacts of transboundary animal diseases.
