Source: University of Minnesota
A single outbreak of a foreign animal disease such as foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, or peste des petits ruminants can devastate livestock industries, causing billions in losses, trade bans, and mass culling. Although the U.S. remains free of these diseases, researchers at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine and its Center for Animal Health and Food Safety are working globally to prevent such outbreaks.
Veterinarian Umanga Gunasekera studies foot-and-mouth disease transmission using machine learning and epidemiological modeling to improve preparedness. Researchers Rachel Schambow and Jesper Hsu analyze African swine fever spread in the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, identifying risk factors like flooding and poor carcass disposal. Sylvester Ochwo evaluates rapid field tests for swine fever, while Dinara Imanbayeva works on eradicating peste des petits ruminants by improving surveillance and vaccination systems. These global collaborations strengthen disease control strategies and safeguard U.S. livestock and rural economies.