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Assessment of Impact of FMD Outbreak in Feedlots – Texas
The impact of outbreaks of FMD into randomly selected feedlots has been assessed in a nine county area of the High Plains of Texas that contains a high concentration of large CAFO operations. A model has been updated and adapted to create a realistic, regional FMD epidemic model. This resulted from collaboration between the FAZD Center, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and West Texas A&M University.
Sixty-four scenarios were developed. Each includes single site introductions for each of four index herd types. For each type, a range of mitigations was simulated. The FAZD Center’s economic researchers are evaluating the economic impacts of the various mitigation strategies that were simulated. Early detection is a very important facet in limiting the spread of FMD after introduction and the epidemiologic and economic impact. Vaccination as a means of containing the disease was effective only in selected scenarios. The early availability of vaccine was important in its efficacy.