Scientists in New South Wales have developed a groundbreaking mRNA vaccine that protects cows against foot-and-mouth disease, a virus that poses a significant threat to Australia's beef exports and could lead to an estimated $80 billion economic loss in the event of an outbreak.

Australia has enjoyed over a century of being free from foot-and-mouth disease; however, the risk of an incursion has escalated due to outbreaks in neighboring countries.

Past outbreaks, particularly in the UK, have led to drastic measures such as the culling of millions of animals, underscoring the potential devastation that foot-and-mouth disease can inflict.

The vaccine, which costs $2.5 million, was announced amid rising biosecurity concerns following the government's decision to lift a ban on cow meat imports from the United States.

Designed for rapid deployment, the mRNA vaccine can be administered within weeks of an outbreak and features DIVA capacity, enabling differentiation between vaccinated and naturally infected animals.

In trials, vaccinated cows exhibited no signs of contracting foot-and-mouth disease when exposed to the virus, marking a significant milestone in vaccine development.

This innovative mRNA vaccine can be produced locally and does not utilize actual viral components in its manufacturing, setting it apart from traditional vaccines.

This mRNA vaccine instructs the body to produce antibodies and breaks down naturally, eliminating the need for extreme storage conditions required by earlier COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty emphasized the necessity of developing local vaccine production to safeguard the livestock industry and avert major economic disruptions in rural areas.

The UNSW RNA Institute is developing manufacturing capabilities for the vaccine as part of a broader $17.6 million research initiative aimed at enhancing RNA workforce capacity in New South Wales.

Foot-and-mouth disease inflicts painful blisters on infected cattle, severely hindering their ability to eat and walk, and its rapid transmission poses a serious threat to livestock herds.

Dr. Michael Laurence from the Meat and Livestock Association highlighted the substantial costs associated with managing an outbreak, noting that all cows in an affected herd would be impacted.