IFAH Statement in response to article on FMD outbreak in South Korea

Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) in South Korea

In response to the FMD outbreaks in South Korea, Barbara Freischem, Executive Director of the International Federation for Animal Health, has said: “When outbreaks such as Foot-and-Mouth disease occur, governments and vaccine companies need to act together, and act fast. We support the FAO’s (Food and Agricultural organization) call to action approach towards vaccination. Control strategies, which make use of proactive vaccination campaigns, are likely to disrupt spreading of the disease and assist in control and eventually eradication. Modern purified vaccines allow differentiation between infection and vaccination and therefore assist in regaining the status “Free from FMD”, which is important in international trade.

Dr. Lubroth’s (FAO) statement that vaccination can be applied to protect animals and keep them alive and productive underlines the importance of animal health for our society. Effective control of outbreaks like this one avoid devastating effects on food supply as well as the livelihoods and well-being of farmers and associated sectors.