No. 23062014-00036-EN

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of systematic mass vaccination campaigns against foot and mouth disease in Argentina. The analysis was based on an estimation of the proportion of protected animals and protected farms in vaccinated populations, as reflected by levels of antibodies measured in liquid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The analysis was carried out in 49 animal health districts in Buenos Aires province, using data collected from four cross-sectional studies, in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2011. Cattle were assigned to one of two categories on the basis of correlation between serological titres and expected percentage protection: non-adequately protected (expected protection <75%) and adequately protected (expected protection ≥75%). The proportions of adequately protected cattle and significantly non-adequately protected farms were estimated and compared among sampled locations.

Keywords
Adequately protected animal – Evaluation of vaccination campaign – Foot and mouth disease – Liquid-phase blocking ELISA – Mass vaccination campaign – Sampling design – Significantly non-adequately protected herd.