Faced with a true epidemic, the European Union recently reversed itself and approved the limited use of the vaccine. The Netherlands has begun a vaccination campaign, and Britain and other countries may soon follow. The original concern about antibodies confusing the screening process is now considered less of an issue. The same company has developed a synthetic peptide-based FMD vaccine. The efficacy of the vaccine is now being studied.
Early indications are that the vaccine can neutralize multiple serotypes of the virus.
The United States has been free of foot and mouth disease since 1929. Despite massive precautions at US ports of entry, the virus can hitchhike in livestock or on clothing. Should an outbreak occur in the US, there would be no choice but to follow the 'quarantine and cull' practices now in place in England.