From March 11 – 13, 2025, the USDA National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (USDA NBAF) and the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (CEID) at the University of Georgia will co-host a symposium on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) research in the U.S. This symposium will be hybrid, conducted online and in-person at the Manhattan Conference Center in Manhattan, KS.

The symposium will bring together leading experts to present global trends in FMD research and the latest insights on the ecology, epidemiology, and risk assessment implications for the United States.

Participants will:

Engage in two full days of presentations (March 11-12) in a hybrid format;
Participate in an interactive half-day session dedicated to synthesizing and publishing the symposium outcomes (March 13, in-person only);
Network with FMD experts during social events and other networking opportunities throughout the symposium.

Symposium Topics

The symposium will cover a wide range of topics, including:

Pathogenesis and transmission
Diagnostics and immunology
Vaccine development and vaccination strategies
Livestock epidemiology
Wildlife-livestock interface and transmission
Role of livestock trade in FMD spread and control
Quantitative and modeling-based approaches to risk assessment

An anticipated outcome of the symposium is the publication of a synthesis paper in a peer-reviewed journal summarizing key discussions and future research priorities.

Who should attend?

This symposium encourages participation from established researchers, policymakers, and early-career professionals interested in all aspects of FMD policy, ecology, epidemiology, and risk assessment.

Attendance is free, but registration is required. Please register only if you are certain of attending, and please inform us if your plans change by contacting Tessa Coughtrey-Davenport.

Important Dates

Registration opens - October 2024

Registration closes - February 21, 2025

Welcome reception - March 10, 2025

Symposium (hybrid format) - March 11-12, 2025

Half-day synthesis (in-person only) - March 13, 2025

Call for Participation

We invite participants to contribute to the symposium by presenting their research, leading a discussion, or facilitating a breakout activity. In particular, we encourage short lightning-round style briefs (5–8 minutes) and presentations from early-career scientists and professionals. If you are interested in playing a more active role in the event, please indicate your interest in the registration form or by contacting Dr. John Humphreys, USDA NBAF.

This is an excellent opportunity to share your expertise and insights with fellow researchers, policymakers, and professionals worldwide. We look forward to your contributions shaping the symposium's discussions and outcomes.

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Tuesday, March 11

Welcome

Overview of NBAF
Alfonso Clavijo, USDA ARS NBAF

National Program in Animal Health
Karyn Havas, USDA ARS National Programs

Overview of CORE's Research and Impact
Natalia Cernicchiaro, Kansas State University

Keynote Address

Keynote Address
Jonathan Arzt, USDA ARS PIADC/NBAF

Session 1: Pathogenesis and Transmission

FMDV pathogenesis and transmission in domestic livestock
Carolina Stenfeldt, USDA ARS PIADC/NBAF

Epidemiology of FMDV in wild African buffalo, its reservoir host
Anna Jolles, Oregon State University

FMD in African Buffalo
Brianna Beechler, Oregon State University, College of Veterinary Medicine

Session 2: Vaccines and Vaccination

TBA
Gisselle Medina, USDA ARS PIADC/NBAF

The challenges of FMD vaccine development – How a manufacturer evaluates promising vaccine candidates
Pascal Hudelet, Boehringer Ingelheim

New Generation FMD Vaccine
Jitendra Kumar, International Centre for Foot & Mouth Disease

The challenges of producing FMD vaccines in Colombia
Zulma Rocío Suarez-Moreno, VECOL S. A.

Morning Sessions Wrap Up

Lunch

Session 3: Diagnostics and Immunology

Serological Assays for Assessing FMD Vaccine Efficacy in the Field: Species Variations, Antibody Types, and Quality
Alejandra Capozzo, Universidad Abierta Interamericana

Developments in assessing vaccines
Anna Ludi, Pirbright

Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Clinical Diagnosis and Challenge
Leyi Wang, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

FMDV Virus-like particles: Production platforms and immunogenicity in vivo
Michael Puckette, USDA ARS

FMD Diagnostics and Training at the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Grayson Walker, USDA NBAF, APHIS

Session 4: Industry and Trade

Applying Lessons Learned from H5N1 to an FMD Outbreak in Dairy Cattle
Miquela Hanselman, National Milk Producers Federation

TBA
Kathy Simmons, National Cattlemen's Beef Association

TBA
Danelle Beckett-Weddle, Preventalytics

Extension Service Efforts to Mitigate Risks Towards a Secure Milk/Beef Supply in Western States
Sergio Arispe, Oregon State University

Afternoon Sessions Wrap Up

Closing Remarks

Evening social gathering at Flint Hills Discovery Center

Wednesday, March 12

Welcome & Keynote Address

Data-Driven Models for Predicting FMD Spread and Guiding National Control Strategies in the US
Colleen Webb, Colorado State University

Session 5: Livestock Epidemiology

Modelling the spread and control of foot-and-mouth disease in epidemic and endemic settings
Mike Tildesley, University of Warwick

Modeling Risks, Impacts and Interventions in an FMD outbreak in the US
Michael Sanderson, Kansas State University

FMD surveillance in Africa: lessons learned and new approaches to address knowledge gaps
Elizabeth Rieder, USDA ARS PIADC/NBAF

Joint UMN-ARS research on FMD epidemiology in endemic settings
Andres Perez, University of Minnesota

FMD models for Latin America
Gustavo Machado, North Carolina State University

FMD National Disease Spread Model
Alexis Freifeld, APHIS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health

Phylodynamics of FMDV in East Africa: Role of landscape and wildlife
Kim VanderVaal, University of Minnesota

Acute and chronic clinical impacts of FMD and how this may impact modelling inputs - experiences from the Asia-Pacific region
James Young, Epitohu Ltd

Morning Session Wrap Up

Lunch

Session 6: Wildlife & Wildlife-Livestock Interface

A Wildlifer’s Perspectives on Research and Management Needs at the One Health Interfaces
Kurt VerCauteren, USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center

Needle in a haystack: Adaptive targeted surveillance for foreign animal diseases in wildlife
Ryan Miller, USDA Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health

Use of High-resolution Genetic Analysis to Quantify Feral Swine Translocation Rates and Spatial Patterns: Implications for Disease Spread and Spillover
Timothy Smyser, USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center

Optimizing response to an introduction of ASF in wild pigs: Implications for FMD
Kim Pepin, USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center

Research Briefs

Gap Analysis of Potential FMD Wildlife Hosts in the U.S.
Olivia Spagnuolo, Michigan State University

Variation in ASF epidemiological parameters: implications for disease spread and surveillance
Madison Berger, USDA ARS

Sorting pigs: Using admixture to develop contact networks between feral swine populations
Benjamin Golas, USDA ARS

Simulation modeling of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus incubation phase transmission in U.S. cattle
Stormy Scharzenberger, USDA APHIS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health

Understanding FMD distribution and risk across Vietnam
Annakate Schatz, USDA ARS

Efficiency of culling techniques for controlling disease introductions in wild pigs and their impacts on wild pig movement behavior
Nathan Snow, USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center

First attempt for FMDV seropositivity and risk factor evaluation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region
Abdul Kabir, Sindh Agriculture University

Quantifying FMD Transmission Risk During Cattle Movements
Torre Dunlea, Kansas State University

A stochastic game theory framework for multi-player decision-making on the allocation of limited vaccine doses in FMD outbreaks
Carla Moreno-Torres, Kansas State University

Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of FMD (PHEFA)
Gabriel Torres, Panaftosa

Assessment of cattle movement risk to and from an auction market during a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United States
Shankar Yadav, Kansas State University

Modeling effects of Cattle Traceability in the United States
MaRyka Smith, Kansas State University

National-scale mapping of wild pig movement: implications for ASF and FMD
Kayleigh Chalkowski, USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center

Development of a Multiplex Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Rapid Detection and Serotyping of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses in Pakistan
Qaiser Akram, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore Pakistan

FMDV Disinfection
Lindsay Gabbert, DHS S&T Plum Island

FMD Vaccine Production in Pakistan: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects
Aamir Ghafoor, CBP-FMD University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Pakistan

Afternoon Sessions Wrap Up

Closing Remarks

Evening social gathering at Tallgrass Tap House

Location of Symposium

The symposium will be held at the Manhattan Conference Center, 410 South 3^rd Street, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Travel

Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK) - Located approximately 5 miles southwest of Manhattan, KS, MHK is served by American Airlines, which offers nonstop flights to Chicago-O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. The airport is also served by Hertz, Enterprise, and Fox Rental Car companies.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) - Manhattan, KS, is located approximately 130 miles west of Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which is served by all of the major US airlines and car rental companies. I-70 is the primary connection between metro Kansas City and Manhattan, KS. Depending upon traffic, the approximate drive time is 2 hours.

Accommodations

There are two room blocks for the Symposium. Attendees are responsible for booking and payment of accommodation for the Symposium. We encourage attendees to make their arrangements promptly.

The Fairfield Inn is across the street from the Manhattan Conference Center. A block of 25 rooms has been reserved under “FMD Symposium.” To book within this block, please call 785-539-2400 and inform the representative that you are booking with the "FMD Symposium" room block. The reservation deadline for this block is February 8, 2025. The rate is $110 per night. We recommend US Government employees book at the Fairfield Inn as they are able to offer the USG per diem rate for the room nights.
The Hilton Garden Inn is connected to the Manhattan Conference Center. A block of 20 rooms has been reserved under "USDA NBAF" and can be booked by following this link or calling 785-532-9116. The reservation deadline for this block is February 16, 2025. The rate is $119 per night. Please note this is above the US Government per diem rate. Cancellations within 48 hours of arrival will incur a charge for the first night’s Room/Tax. Check-in: 3 PM and Check out: 12 PM. Early arrivals are accommodated based on availability.

In addition to reserved accommodations at the Fairfield Inn, there are several hotels within walking distance to the Manhattan Conference Center, including the Candlewood Suites, adjacent to the Conference Center.

FAQs

Are any meals provided during the Symposium?
On March 10, the welcome reception will have hors d'oeuvres. On March 11 & 12, lunch and two coffee breaks will be provided during the Symposium. On March 13, a morning coffee break will be offered.

What is the dress code for the Symposium?
Suggested dress code is business casual.

About the Symposium

Symposium Topics

Who should attend?

Important Dates

Call for Participation

Register for the FMD Symposium

Agenda at a Glance

Monday, March 10

Tuesday, March 11

Wednesday, March 12

Thursday, March 13

Speaker Biographies

Logistics

Location of Symposium

Travel

Accommodations

FAQs

Keynote Speakers

Name

Name

Name

Sponsoring Organizations

In Partnership with