Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Livestock

Key Symptoms to Watch For

Recognizing FMD early is vital for controlling its spread. Look out for these common symptoms in your animals:

• Fever: Animals may develop a high fever, often the first sign.

• Blisters and Sores: Characteristic blisters (vesicles) appear on the tongue, gums, inside of the cheeks, nostrils, teats, and between the hooves. These blisters soon burst, leaving raw, painful sores.

• Excessive Salivation: Animals, especially cattle, will drool heavily, often with foamy saliva, due to painful mouth lesions.

• Lameness: Painful foot lesions cause animals to limp, stand awkwardly, or refuse to move. They may also stamp their feet frequently.

• Reduced Appetite: Due to mouth pain, animals will be reluctant to eat or drink, leading to rapid weight loss.

• Decreased Production: Milk yield in dairy animals drops sharply. Meat animals lose condition.

• Abortion: Pregnant animals may abort, and young animals can die suddenly without showing many symptoms.

How FMD Spreads Rapidly

FMD is one of the most contagious animal diseases. The virus spreads through:

• Direct Contact: Infected animals can transmit the virus to healthy ones through saliva, urine, faeces, milk, and exhaled breath.

• Indirect Contact: Contaminated feed, water, bedding, farm equipment, vehicles, and even clothing/footwear of people can carry the virus.

• Airborne Transmission: Under certain conditions, the virus can travel several kilometres through the air, especially in cool, humid weather.

• Movement of Animals: Buying and selling infected animals without proper checks is a major cause of outbreaks.

Effective Prevention and Control Measures

Prevention is always better than cure for FMD. The most effective strategies include:

• Regular Vaccination: This is the cornerstone of FMD control in India. Ensure all your cloven-hoofed animals are vaccinated according to the national vaccination schedule, typically twice a year (every 6 months). Consult your local veterinary doctor for the exact schedule and vaccine type.

• Biosecurity: Implement strict hygiene practices on your farm.

  • Quarantine: Isolate new animals for at least 3-4 weeks before introducing them to the main herd.

  • Disinfection: Regularly clean and disinfect animal sheds, equipment, and vehicles.

  • Foot Dips: Use foot dips with disinfectants at farm entrances.

  • Control Visitors: Limit access to your farm and ensure visitors disinfect their footwear.

• Movement Control: Avoid bringing animals from areas with known FMD outbreaks. Report any suspicious symptoms immediately to veterinary authorities.

• Proper Disposal: Safely dispose of carcasses and contaminated materials from infected animals.

Caring for Affected Animals

If your animals show FMD symptoms, immediate action is crucial:

• Isolate Infected Animals: Separate sick animals from healthy ones immediately to prevent further spread.

• Report to Veterinarian: Contact your local veterinary doctor or animal husbandry department without delay.

• Supportive Care: Provide soft, palatable feed (e.g., green fodder, gruel) and plenty of clean water.

• Treat Lesions: Your veterinarian may prescribe antiseptic solutions or ointments for mouth and foot lesions to prevent secondary bacterial infections and reduce pain.

• Rest: Allow affected animals to rest in a clean, dry, and comfortable environment.

Foot and Mouth Disease poses a significant threat to livestock and farmer livelihoods. By understanding its symptoms, how it spreads, and implementing consistent vaccination and strict biosecurity measures, farmers can effectively protect their animals and minimize the devastating impact of this disease. Early detection and reporting to veterinary services are key to successful control.