A global virtual network for foot-and-mouth disease in case of emergency.

Abstract

The use of emergency vaccination is considered in different contingency national plans as part of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control strategy in countries whether vaccination is practised or not. The development of the inter-governmental and national FMD vaccine and antigen banks and some technical and operational problems that could affect their efficiency are analysed. The possibility of improving and implementing a more rational use of the antigen and vaccine banks through the creation of a Global Virtual Network of Vaccine and Antigen Banks is discussed.