Investigation of novel methods to study the survival of foot-and-mouth disease virus in aerosols

This project will use recently developed laboratory methods to explore how the survival of FMDV
in aerosols varies between strains, and how survival in aerosols is influenced by environmental
conditions. Of particular interest will be examining characteristic properties of contemporary FMDV
strains from emerging lineages, where geographic ranges have been expanded, and determining
differences that exist between strains from diverse geographical regions. FMDV strains for use in
experimental studies will be selected based on relevant epidemiology in the global context and
availability of stocks via the World Reference Laboratories at The Pirbright Institute. Data generated
in experimental work will highlight the risks associated with aerosol transmission of FMDV and
inform mitigation and control strategies.