According to FAO, the situation in some parts of the world has improved substantially over the last two or three decades, with North and Central America, southern Latin America, the Caribbean and Pacific nations, as well as large parts of southern Africa and Europe free of the disease.

"However, FMD remains endemic in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America," the agency said, referring to the foot and mouth disease by its acronym. "No country can consider itself safe from the risk of the disease, due to increased international trade, tourism, the movement of animals, animal products and foodstuff."

The FAO European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EUFMD) will discuss the current outbreak and advise countries at its next meeting, to be held in Rome from 21 to 23 March. Established in 1954, the 33-member Commission coordinates the national FMD programmes at the continental level.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals characterized by the formation of vesicles (fluid-filled blisters) and erosions in the mouth, nose, teats and feet. Although usually not lethal in adult animals, it can kill young animals and cause serious production losses as well as animal suffering. Countries affected by the disease are prevented from exporting animals and animal products. The virus very rarely affects humans, leading to mild illness.

Considering the global threat of the virus, FAO recommends that countries most at risk should reinforce surveillance measures through awareness campaigns for veterinarians and the agricultural and transport industries, strengthen controls at borders, and develop contingency plans for destruction of carcasses and provision of emergency vaccination as a last resort. The agency also urges for more aid to developing countries to combat and ultimately eradicate FMD in endemic areas.

To help countries set up effective procedures for coping with animal disease emergencies, FAO has developed a multimedia programme called Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP), which assists countries to develop contingency plans based on early warning, early reaction and control measures for each animal disease.