Molecular characterization of serotype Asia-1 foot-and-mouth disease viruses in Pakistan and Afghanistan; emergence of a new genetic Group and evidence for a novel recombinant virus

► Multiple Groups of FMDV serotype Asia-1 are in Pakistan and Afghanistan. ► Significant new variants of FMDV Asia-1 are emerging by genetic drift. ► Interserotypic recombination between serotype A and serotype Asia-1 viruses. ► Current strains of Asia-1 FMDV are antigenically distinct from the vaccine strain.