FIVM Series presents: New strategies for the differentiation of foot-and-mouth disease virus-infected from vaccinated cattle.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious disease in cloven-hoofed animals that produces blisters in the mouth and on the feet. Recent outbreaks around the world are a reminder of the economic devastation this disease can produce.

On Friday, October 20, Dr. Alfonso Clavijo will talk about challenges to North American livestock industries should an outbreak occur.  His presentation will look at the catastrophic consequences for the multi-billion-dollar livestock industry, and current programs for the control and eradication of FMD. Dr. Clavijo will also discuss new strategies for the differentiation of FMDV-infected from vaccinated cattle.

Dr. Clavijo is currently the Executive Director of the National Centres for Animal Disease (NCAD) at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The NCAD includes the laboratories in Lethbridge and Winnipeg (National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases-NCFAD).

During his professional career, Dr. Clavijo has taken a number of important assignments including Professor at Kansas State University, Senior Science Advisor for the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) at Texas A&M University, Advisor for Diagnosis, Surveillance and Control of Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) /WHO, Associate Director for Scientific Programs at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), Head of the Vesicular Disease Unit at National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases and Technical Advisor in Foot-and-Mouth Disease for the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA).

Dr. Clavijo’s main research focus includes development and validation of novel diagnostic assays for transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, with publications in many recognized scientific journals.