This application is directed generally to minicircle DNA vectors for the vaccination of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The transgene expression cassette in the minicircle DNA vector includes: a eukaryotic translation initiation nucleotide sequence, a mutant nucleotide sequence that encodes a foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) capsid polyprotein precursor that contains at least one mutation to eliminate a restriction enzyme recognition site, a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protease that cleaves the FMDV capsid polyprotein precursor into a plurality of FMDV capsid proteins and a translational regulatory element to regulate the expression of the protease. The minicircle DNA vectors can be transfected directly into the cell of a mammalian host. When transfected into the mammalian host cell, virus-like particles can be produced intrinsically to stimulate the mammalian host's immune system to develop adaptive immunity toward foot-and-mouth disease.

A rapid immunoassay method and apparatus for detecting foot and mouth disease virus are disclosed. The method and test device permit pen-side testing of animals and provide test results within a relatively short time period. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus provide a means for differentiating between FMDV-infected and FMDV-vaccinated animals.

Proposed are a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine composition including recombinant foot-and-mouth disease viruses and an antigen isolated and purified from the viruses. In the early stages of vaccination, a humoral immune response is simultaneously induced through the induction of a robust cellular immune response, while in the presence of maternally-derived antibodies (MDAs), B cell receptors are stimulated. Through this, it is possible to provide the vaccine composition that enables active immunity and overcomes the interference of the maternally-derived antibodies and to provide a method of preventing or treating foot-and-mouth diseases using the same composition.