The planned response to an FMD outbreak is not what it used to be Danelle A. Bickett-Weddle,1 DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM; Molly Lee,1 DVM; Renee Dewell,1 DVM, MS; Kristen Obbink,1 DVM, MPH; Mike Sanderson,2 DVM, MS, DACVPM (Epi); Christy Hanthorn,2 DVM, MS; James A. Roth,1 DVM, PhD, DACVM xCenter for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011; dbw@iastate.edu 2Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506 Abstract The sheer size and structure of livestock operations in the United States, combined with extensive movement between production phases, presents unprecedented foot and mouth disease [FMD) control challenges. The economic impact of an outbreak would be immediate and harsh. The goal of FMD response is to control and eradicate FMD while preserving the US livestock industry, a delicate and precarious balance of priorities. Bovine veterinarians have an opportu¬ nity and responsibility to help their clients prepare for a po¬ tential FMD outbreak. The voluntary Secure Milk and Secure Beef Supply Plans give veterinarians the tools they need to help their clients implement key business continuity strate¬ gies. The biosecurity mitigations and surveillance capabilities will be essential to protect animal health, decrease disease spread, and allow some semblance of business continuity for the livestock industry. Key words: foot and mouth disease, Secure Milk Supply, Secure Beef Supply, veterinarians, biosecurity Resume L’ampleur et la structure des exploitations d'elevage intensif du betail aux Etats-Unis lorsque combinees avec le vaste mouvement des animaux entre les phases de produc¬ tion engendrent un defi sans precedent pour le controle de la fievre aphteuse [FA). L'impact economique d'une flambee serait immediat et severe. Le but de la regie de la FA est de controler et d’eradiquer la FA tout en preservant l'industrie de l’elevage du betail aux Etats-Unis, ce qui represente un equilibre des priorites difficile et precaire. Les veterinaires bovins ont la chance et la responsabilite d'aider leurs clients a se preparer pour une eventuelle flambee de FA. Les pro¬ grammes volontaires de controle de qualite du lait et de la viande de bceuf fournissent aux veterinaires les outils dont ils ont besoin pour aider leurs clients a mettre en oeuvre des strategies cles de continuity d’entreprise. La reduction du risque par la biosecurite et les capacites de surveillance se- ront essentielles pour proteger la sante des animaux, reduire les chances de propagation de la maladie et pour donner un semblant de continuity d’entreprise pour l'industrie de lt'levage bovin. Executive Summary The burning pyres of carcasses in the United Kingdom [UK) in 2001 still resonate in many people's minds when foot and mouth disease [FMD) is mentioned. To stop the spread of this highly contagious disease in the UK, 4 million animals were depopulated and another 6 million were culled for welfare purposes.1 This "stamping out” approach was the primary response strategy in the United States for decades. Uruguay also experienced an FMD outbreak in 2001. Only 7,000 animals were depopulated in this cattle-dense country, but approximately 24 million doses of FMD vaccine were administered to control the outbreak.2 These 2 countries of similar size had 2 very different response strategies. Since those outbreaks, and many others throughout the world, the US response to an FMD outbreak has evolved - it is not what it used to be. The last FMD outbreak in the US occurred in California in 1929. The outbreak was stopped with movement controls and depopulation. Regulation of imports and a bit of luck have kept this devastating disease from reoccurring in the US. The approach to controlling an FMD outbreak in the 21st century still includes movement controls and depopulation, but includes other strategies as well. The sheer size and structure of livestock operations in the US, combined with extensive movement between production phases, presents unprecedented disease control challenges. Strategies for the response to, and management of, an FMD outbreak will change as the outbreak progresses and will depend on the magnitude, location, and other characteristics of the out¬ break. In a small outbreak, the emphasis remains on stamping out the disease as quickly as possible. In a large outbreak, alternative response strategies will be considered due to the large number of animals, public resistance to stamping out, and environmental challenges associated with carcass disposal. The goal is to control and eradicate FMD while pre¬ serving the US livestock industry, a delicate and precarious balance of priorities. If FMD is diagnosed in the US, the sequence of events for the response is described in the USDA Foot and Mouth Disease Response Plan [https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ emergency_management/downloads/fmd_responseplan. pdf). One of the first tasks is notification of our trade partners u THE AABP PROCEEDINGS-VOL. 50 Copyright American Association of Bovine Practitioners; open access distribution.