June 4, 2007

USDA claims to have developed enhanced FMD vaccine

A new vaccine, being developed in the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), claims to hold promise for better protection against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

Together with the ARS, the vaccine is developed by of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and GenVec, a biopharmaceutical company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Scientists say the new vaccine works immediately which demonstrates effectiveness within seven days. Tests thus far have shown that vaccinated cattle retain immunity for at least 21 days, but scientists expect that future studies will show that the new vaccine at least matches the six months of immunity provided by current vaccines.

The new vaccine has been tested on cattle and swine, and is equally effective in both species.

ARS Administrator Edward B. Knipling the new vaccine, which has been effective in both cattle and swine during trials, show tremendous promise.

Knipling said, the FMD vaccine is the first of its kind in the US and the federal government can stockpile adequate supplies if the entire study has been executed. 

The vaccine is the first molecular-based FMD vaccine for cattle.

Additional testing is examining the vaccine's commercial viability and effectiveness against the various serotypes of FMD virus.

Knipling says the new vaccine has many benefits as it administers in a non-replicating adenovirus. It does not require expensive, high-containment production facilities, and it can be produced safely in the United States because it can be made without using infectious FMD materials.

In addition, the vaccine is also an identifying factor whether an animal found to have FMD antibodies acquired them through vaccination or from infection-an important piece of information because of the trade restrictions associated with using current vaccines.