U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Plum Island Podcast
 [Running time: ~ 1:40]

Hi I’m Sharon Durham with the Agricultural Research Service or A R S.  ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency.
Inside laboratories at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center—located off Long Island, New York—ARS scientists work diligently to protect our livestock from foreign animal diseases. 

They partner with others to develop vaccines, diagnostic tests and technology to help control, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks. ARS scientists are investigating infectious diseases such as classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease or F-M-D, a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals considered the most economically devastating livestock disease in the world.

No cases of FMD have been reported in the United States since1929, but FMD remains in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. 

ARS scientists were the first to identify the primary site in cattle where the FMD virus infection begins. They discovered that the virus infects certain cells in the back of the cow’s throat. 

In addition, ARS scientists have developed vaccine delivery technology that blocks FMD virus in pigs and cattle. Both methods provide protection for animals, giving vaccines enough time to become effective. 

ARS scientists are working hard to protect our nation’s food supply. That’s our podcast for today.