Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals. Although seldom lethal in adult animals, it causes serious production losses and is a major constraint to inteational trade in livestock products. Severe mortality may occur in young stock, particularly lambs and piglets. Geographical Distribution FMD is endemic and at a high prevalence in many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and is also present in parts of South America. Europe, North and Central America, the Pacific nations and the Caribbean are free from the disease. Epidemic events of FMD in 2005-2006 are covered in the special article (Read the Focus on Foot-and-Mouth Disease - Situation worldwide and major epidemiological events in 2005-2006) FMD pandemics (epidemic affecting many countries) have been seen for type O (new PanAsia strain), type A (especially A Iran 05 strain) and Asia-1, in south and west Asia and extending to the

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