Eradication of foot and mouth disease in Japan

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was recorded in Japan in the sp ring of 2000, the first for ninety-two years. Between 25 March and 11 May, four farms were infected. However, the disease was eradicated without resor ting to vaccination, through a campaign of culling, movement control of clo ven-hoofed animals in areas surrounding infected premises, and intensive cl inical and serological surveillance. Japan regained FMD-free status by the end of September 2000. The authors describe the nature of the outbreaks, th e eradication measures implemented, and the clinical and serological survei llance methods used. The possible sources of infection are also examined. F inally, the direct and indirect economic losses are presented.