Foot-and-mouth disease is a globally significant, easily transmitted and effectively spread viral disease in cloven-hoofed animals. A disease outbreak in domestic animals would have major consequences for the national economy. There were eight separate foot-and-mouth outbreaks In Finland in the 20th century, the most recent in 1959.
Using models that simulate events associated with the spread and discovery of foot-and-mouth disease, the study aimed examining the following:
What would be the maximum number of cattle and pig farms in Finland that would be most likely affected by a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and how long would the outbreak last?
How would the minimum foot-and-mouth disease control measures taken during the disease outbreak affect the extent and duration of the outbreak?
How great an effect would a disease outbreak have on domestic animal production and its economy as well as on the industry that processes domestic animal products?
Would it be justified for economic or epidemiological reasons to control the spread of the disease in Finland by resorting to emergency vaccination?
Research group
Kyösti Pietola (MTT)
Tapani Lyytikäinen (Evira)
Eva Kallio (Evira, University of Liverpool)
Leena Sahlström (Evira)
Terhi Virtanen (Evira)
Heikki Lehtonen (MTT)
Jarkko Niemi (MTT)
Lasse Nuotio (Evira)
Timetable
2006 - 2010
Project funding
Development Fund Agricultural and Forestry (MAKERA), National Emergency Supply Agency, MTT Agrifood Research Finland and Evira
Further information
Tapani Lyytikäinen, tapani.lyytikainen@foodauthority.fi