[Current status of immunoprophylaxis against foot-and-mouth disease]

An analysis is made of the latest developments and importance of immunoprophylaxis against FMD, with reference to the epizootiological situation of the disease and its bearings, today, on industrialized livestock production. Comprehensive immunoprophylactic action (vaccination of all cattle every year) has been taken first by the GDR and later on by more European countries, as well. As a result of such action the disastrous impact of FMD and its associated high loss rate have been considerably mitigated. A decisive role, in that context, has been played by the development of effective inactivated vaccines for swine. An FMD live vaccine has been devised in GDR for after-care of swine. It is not only harmless to the animal, but, as well known, it provides numerous advantages over adsorbate vaccines. FMD immunoprophylaxis for full success depends primarily on the proper selection of virus strains suitable for vaccine produktion, vaccine quality, avoidance of post-vaccination damage or disease, and the availability of an efficient concept for vaccine application. The above problems are expounded in this paper, and derived from them are substantive conclusions for further studies, with the view to improving FMD immunoprophylaxis.