Transmission risk for foot-and-mouth-disease in an animal-densed region in Germany--results from an expert survey]

Due to its strong impact on economics and trading the Foot-and-Mouth-Disease (FMD) is one of the most important animal diseases within animal husbandry. Because no recent specific field observation for FMD exists in Germany, the risk assessment needs validated epidemiological models to prepare decision tools for FMD-outbreak management. The aim of this investigation was therefore to prepare a risk assessment for different transmission pathways to use for FMD-models in future. To prepare a FMD-transmission model the risk was assessed within a highly animal densed region in Germany by means of an expert survey. For each transmission pathway an assessment was given in the categories low, medium, high and severe. Some pathways were rated homogenously between the experts, but some were rated heterogeneously. Therefore areas were identified with common rating as well as areas, where further investigations to specify FMD-models are necessary.