National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH)

Topics in Animal Health Research 2002

25. Pathogenicity of the Japanese isolate of foot-and-mouth disease virus, O/JPN/2000, to cloven-hoofed animals

Japanese

In order to investigate the pathogenicity and in-contact transmission of the Japanese strain of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), O/JPN/2000, we have done experimental infection of beef and dairy cattle, pig, goats and sheep.  The O/JPN/2000 strain causes mild symptoms (salivation, erosion, ulcers in the mouth and nasal cavities without vesicles) in beef cattle and sub-clinical infections in dairy cattle, goats and sheep.  On the other hand, the virus causes typical FMD (erosion and vesicles on the mouth and feet) in pigs.  O/JPN/2000 was transmitted from beef cattle to beef cattle, and from pig to pig but not from beef cattle to pigs.  It seems that the titer of virus excreted from the infected cattle was not enough to cause infection of pigs. No virus transmission was observed between dairy cattle, goats and sheep.  This kind of FMDV showing low virulence in ruminants will place new obstacles on the worldwide trade of animals and animal products.  It is urgently necessary for importing countries to take efficient measures to keep free from atypical FMD. (Diagnosis Section, Department of Exotic Diseases TEL +81-42-321-1441)

Reference:

Sakamoto et al. (2002) Rev. Sci. Tech. Off. Int. Epiz. 21:459-463.

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