Foot and mouth disease (FMD) affects cloven-hoofed animals. It is one of the most contagious diseases of mammals and poses a high risk of causing severe economic loss. Due to its highly contagious nature and economic implications for many countries, FMD was the first disease for which the OIE established an official list of free countries and zones.

The Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Chapter 8.7.) provides the requirements that need to be fulfilled by a Member Country to be included in the list of FMD free Member Countries. A questionnaire was developed in line with Chapter 8.7. to assist Member Countries in the preparation and compilation of dossiers for evaluation by the Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases (Scientific Commission). Member Countries seeking official recognition of FMD free status must comply with the requirements laid out in Chapter 8.7. of the Terrestrial Code and submit to the OIE the information requested by the questionnaire contained in Article 1.6.6.

In 2011, in line with the Global Strategy for the control and eradication of FMD, the Scientific Commission was given the mandate to evaluate and endorse official control programmes for FMD (Resolution 19, 79th General Session, May 2011). Chapter 8.7. on FMD was amended and a specific questionnaire was developed to give Member Countries the tools to apply for the endorsement of their national programme and to progressively move towards freedom from FMD. When requesting the endorsement of an official control programme for FMD, a Member Country must comply with the requirements laid out in Article 8.7.48 of the Terrestrial Code and submit to the OIE the information requested by the questionnaire contained in Article 1.6.11.

The list of Member Countries with an FMD free status officially recognised by the OIE and the list of Member Countries having their official control programme for FMD endorsed by the OIE are available on the OIE website.

The Bangkok strategy is aimed at global FMD control, with global, regional and national components.

FMD Portal
Official disease status
Chapter 8.7. of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code
Global FMD Control Strategy