Armenia advances foot-and-mouth disease control with FAO and EuFMD support

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains one of the most serious transboundary animal diseases worldwide. It is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads rapidly among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. FMD spreads rapidly through direct contact between animals, contaminated feed and products, aerosols or even equipment, vehicles and clothing. The disease causes severe economic losses for farmers in Armenia and impacts food security.

To stay ahead of the threat, Armenia is working closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) and the World Organisation for Animal Health through the Progressive Control Pathway for FMD (PCP-FMD). This regional cooperation has strengthened early warning systems, promoted harmonized vaccination strategies and improved national preparedness to respond to potential outbreaks.

From 18 to 20 August 2025, Yerevan hosted the Progressive Control Pathway for FMD national workshop, which gathered government officials, veterinary experts, farmers’ organizations and international partners to advance the national FMD control strategy in Armenia. The workshop, organized with FAO support under the EuFMD “Move FAST – GET Prepared” strategy, marked an important milestone for Armenia as the newest EuFMD member.

Over three days, participants were introduced to practical tools and methodologies to assess the economic costs and benefits of FMD control measures in Armenia. Discussions focused on refining research questions, reviewing existing data and designing an evaluation of long-term vaccination strategies. The goal was to provide Armenia with a clear, evidence-based framework to guide decision-making and ensure that results inform national policies for disease prevention and control.

High-level meetings with the Ministry of Economy and the chief veterinary officer after the workshop underscored the country’s commitment to grounding FMD prevention and control in science and strong regional cooperation.