An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) strain O has been confirmed in 15 calves in a group of 520 vaccinated steers housed in a feedlot in the Tsefat District of Israel located approximately 5km from the border with Lebanon.
The outbreak was first observed on December 19, 2005 and confirmed by clinical signs and laboratory testing on December 20th. The samples submitted were virus isolation positive. PCR test results are currently pending.
The affected animals, which exhibited clinical signs typical of FMD, had received a single FMD vaccination using an inactivated vaccine containing FMD strains O, A, and Asia 1 six months prior to the outbreak. Israel had last reported an outbreak of FMD in March, 2004. Movement restrictions were lifted 6 months later.
Control measures, including ring vaccination, quarantine, movement restrictions, screening and disinfection, have been implemented in response to the most recent findings. The source or the current outbreak has not been identified.
Source: OIE http://www.oie.int