Project Number: 1940-32000-057-33
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 01, 2012
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
This research project seeks to investigate the molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of emerging strains of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) in Vietnam. Specific objectives include: 1. Increase the understanding of viral ecology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Vietnam, specifically on the role of Asian buffalo on FMDV transmission in Vietnam. 2. Provide expertise on field epidemiology of FMD to help coordinate on-going collaborative research projects with the Department of Animal Health, Vietnam.

Approach:
1. ARS, PIADC will provide MSU collaborators training in FMD epidemiology and diagnostics. 2. In collaboration with scientists from the National Center for Veterinary Diagnostics, Vietnam, MSU collaborators will travel to Vietnam to facilitate field sampling and characterize the molecular epidemiology (phylogenetics) of FMDV strains circulating in Vietnam. Studies will be conducted on the role of persistently infected ruminants, specifically buffalo, in FMDV ecology. Standard operating procedures will be established to quantitate the risk associated with animal movement in and out of FMD outbreak areas.