Abstract
Quantitative understanding of transmission with and without control measures is important for the control of infectious diseases because it helps to determine which of these measures (or combinations thereof) will be effective to reduce transmission. In this paper, the statistical methods used to estimate transmission parameters are explained. To show how these methods can be used we reviewed literature for papers describing foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) transmission in pigs and we used the data to estimate transmission parameters. The analysis showed that FMDV transmits very well when pigs have direct contact. Transmission, however, is reduced when a physical barrier separates infected and susceptible non-vaccinated pigs. Vaccination of pigs can prevent infection when virus is administered by a single intradermal virus injection in the bulb of the heel, but it cannot prevent infection when pigs are directly exposed to either non-vaccinated or vaccinated FMDV infected pigs. Physical separation combined with vaccination is observed to block transmission. Vaccination and separation can make a significant difference in the estimated number of new infections per day. Experimental transmission studies show that the combined effect of vaccination and physical separation can significantly reduce transmission (R < 1), which is a very relevant result for the control of between-farm transmission.
Highlights
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals and outbreaks can have major economic consequences
Control of FMD virus (FMDV) has, in many countries, FMD Transmission in Pigs led to better economic results in livestock production and opened new export markets resulting in increased sales of livestock products
In total 14 experiments were identified in which pigs were infected with one of five different FMDV strains (O/TAW/97 n = 7, O/JPN/2017 n = 1, O/NET/2001 n = 4, O/SKR/2002 n = 1 and A24Cruzeiro n = 1)
Summary
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals and outbreaks can have major economic consequences. Control of FMDV has, in many countries, FMD Transmission in Pigs led to better economic results in livestock production and opened new export markets resulting in increased sales of livestock products. Export of animals and animal products without limitations has, become very important for FMD free countries. An outbreak of FMD in an FMD free country will have an impact on livestock production, but it will have huge economic consequences due to closure of export markets. The economic losses caused by the 2001 FMD outbreaks in Europe and the repeated introduction of FMDV in South-Korea were enormous [3,4,5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
