A planned and scientific surveillance system for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was established in this study. A network database system was constructed using Delphi programming language and SQL server database system to effectively store, retrieve, compile and analyze the test results. Four surveillances were carried out starting in June, 2000 (3 years post FMD outbreak) with an interval of 6 months. A total of 14,561 serum samples were collected from 330 pig farms (803 batches) for serological tests. Results showed that the mean serum neutralization (SN) antibody titer (Log10SN50) for finishers increased significantly from 1.45±0.93 to 1.67±0.19 from June, 2000 to November, 2000 (p<0.05), but significantly decreased to between 1.38 and 1.42 thereafter (p<0.05). A similar result in sows was also observed. Statistical analysis of test results indicated that the suitable vaccination program for piglets would be vaccinated between the ages of 8 to 12 weeks for the first immunization, followed by a boost 4 weeks later. There was no significant difference between the SN titers of pig vaccinated once at the age of 8 weeks with a high potent vaccine and those of pigs vaccinated twice. Sows vaccinated 3 to 4 weeks before farrowing or once every 4 to 6 months had SN titers between 1.76 and 2.21. The results of this serological surveillance provided the basis for the strategy and decision making in the FMD eradication program and might facilitate the progress of this program.
A planned and scientific surveillance system for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was established in this study. A network database system was constructed using Delphi programming language and SQL server database system to effectively store, retrieve, compile and analyze the test results. Four surveillances were carried out starting in June, 2000 (3 years post FMD outbreak) with an interval of 6 months. A total of 14,561 serum samples were collected from 330 pig farms (803 batches) for serological tests. Results showed that the mean serum neutralization (SN) antibody titer (Log10SN50) for finishers increased significantly from 1.45±0.93 to 1.67±0.19 from June, 2000 to November, 2000 (p<0.05), but significantly decreased to between 1.38 and 1.42 thereafter (p<0.05). A similar result in sows was also observed. Statistical analysis of test results indicated that the suitable vaccination program for piglets would be vaccinated between the ages of 8 to 12 weeks for the first immunization, followed by a boost 4 weeks later. There was no significant difference between the SN titers of pig vaccinated once at the age of 8 weeks with a high potent vaccine and those of pigs vaccinated twice. Sows vaccinated 3 to 4 weeks before farrowing or once every 4 to 6 months had SN titers between 1.76 and 2.21. The results of this serological surveillance provided the basis for the strategy and decision making in the FMD eradication program and might facilitate the progress of this program.