About the Symposium
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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Register for the FMD Symposium
Agenda at a Glance
Talk titles and speakers are updated as confirmed. Stay tuned for continuous updates!
Monday, March 10
Welcome Reception
Tuesday, March 11
Welcome
NBAF Overview by Alfonso Clavijo
National Program in Animal Health by Roxanne Motroni
Overview of CORE's Research and Impact by Natalia Cernicchiaro
Keynote Address
Keynote Address by Jonathan Arzt
Session 1: Pathogenesis and Transmission
TBA by Carolina Stenfeldt
Epidemiology of FMDV in wild African buffalo, its reservoir host by Anna Jolles
FMD in African Buffalo by Brianna Beechler
Session 2: Vaccines and Vaccination
TBA by Gisselle Medina
The challenges of FMD vaccine development – How a manufacturer evaluates promising vaccine candidates by Pascal Hudelet
New Generation FMD Vaccine by Jitendra Kumar
The challenges of producing FMD vaccines in Colombia by Zulma Rocío Suarez-Moreno
Morning Sessions Wrap Up
Lunch
Session 3: Diagnostics and Immunology
TBA by Alejandra Capozzo
Developments in assessing vaccines by Anna Ludi
Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Clinical Diagnosis and Challenge by Leyi Wang
FMDV Virus-like particles: Production platforms and immunogenicity in vivo by Michael Puckette
Session 4: Trade
Applying Lessons Learned from H5N1 to an FMD Outbreak in Dairy Cattle by Jamie Jonker
TBA by Kathy Simmons
TBA by Danielle Beckett-Weddle
Extension Service Efforts to Mitigate Risks Towards a Secure Milk/Beef Supply in Western States by Sergio Arispe
Afternoon Sessions Wrap Up
Closing Remarks
Wednesday, March 12
Welcome & Keynote Address
Keynote Address by Colleen Webb
Session 5: Livestock Epidemiology
Modelling the spread and control of foot-and-mouth disease in epidemic and endemic settings by Mike Tildesley
Modeling Risks, Impacts and Interventions in an FMD outbreak in the US by Michael Sanderson
TBA by Elizabeth Reider
Joint UMN-ARS research on FMD epidemiology in endemic settings by Andres Perez
FMD models for Latin America by Gustavo Machado
FMD National Disease Spread Model by Alexis Freifeld
Phylodynamics of FMDV in East Africa: Role of landscape and wildlife by Kim VanderVaal
TBA by Antonello Di Nardo
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 by Kurt VerCauteren
Needle in a haystack: Adaptive targeted surveillance for foreign animal diseases in wildlife by Ryan Miller
Use of High-resolution Genetic Analysis to Quantify Feral Swine Translocation Rates and Spatial Patterns: Implications for Disease Spread and Spillover by Timothy Smyser
Optimizing response to an introduction of ASF in wild pigs: Implications for FMD by Kim Pepin
Research Briefs
Gap Analysis of Potential FMD Wildlife Hosts in the U.S. by Olivia Spagnuolo
Variation in ASF epidemiological parameters: implications for disease spread and surveillance by Madison Berger
Sorting pigs: Using admixture to develop contact networks between feral swine populations by Benjamin Golas
Simulation modeling of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus incubation phase transmission in U.S. cattle by Stormy Scharzenberger
Understanding FMD distribution and risk across Vietnam by Annakate Schatz
Efficiency of culling techniques for controlling disease introductions in wild pigs and their impacts on wild pig movement behavior by Nathan Snow
First attempt for FMDV seropositivity and risk factor evaluation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region by Abdul Kabir
Afternoon Sessions Wrap Up
Closing Remarks
Thursday, March 13
Half-day Synthesis Workshop
Small group discussions to synthesize main concepts and create an action plan for post-workshop report development and publication.
Speaker Biographies
Speaker biographies are updated as confirmed. Stay tuned for continuous updates!
Logistics
Location of Symposium
The symposium will be held at the Manhattan Conference Center, 410 South 3rd 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.
- 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 "FMD Symposium" and can be booked by calling 785-532-9116. The rate is $119 per night. Please note this is above the US Government per diem rate.
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?
Symposium organizers are in the planning stage of the March 10 welcome reception. 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.
Keynote Speakers
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