Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in livestock

What is foot and mouth disease?

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals — those with split toes.

It infects:

• cattle and buffalo
• sheep and goats
• pigs
• deer
• camelids such as alpacas, llamas and camels.

It does not affect horses.

The virus spreads easily through:

• live animals, meat, and dairy products
• soil, bones, untreated hides, and animal waste
• vehicles, equipment, and clothing or footwear that have been in contact with infected animals.

FMD virus can survive in frozen, chilled, or freeze-dried foods including meat and dairy.

FMD is a nationally notifiable disease, as indicated in the call-out on this page.

If FMD entered Australia, it would have major impacts including:

• loss of meat and milk production
• closure of export markets
• slaughter of infected and exposed animals.

When to watch for it

All cloven-hoofed animals are at risk.

The onset and severity of symptoms can vary between species and individuals.

The disease spreads rapidly — entire herds may be infected within 48 hours.

Animals most affected include cattle and pigs, though sheep, goats, deer, and camelids can also become infected.

Clinical signs

FMD causes vesicular lesions (blisters, ulcers, sores) in the mouth and on the feet, muzzle, nostrils, and teats.

In general, infected animals may show:

• blisters on the mouth, snout, tongue, lips, teats, or feet
• erosions left after blisters rupture
• drooling and excessive salivation
• fever (39.4 – 41.1°C)
• limping or reluctance to move
• production losses.

FMD in cattle

Cattle infected with FMD may show:

• Fever up to 42°C.
• Depression and loss of appetite.
• Sudden drop or stop in milk production.
• Smacking of lips, teeth grinding, drooling.
• Lameness or reluctance to stand, stamping or kicking feet.
• Vesicles on mouth, nose, teats, or between claws.
• Ruptured blisters leaving erosions.

Complications: Secondary infections of lesions, hoof deformities, mastitis, permanent loss of milk production, and death of young animals from viral myocarditis (heart inflammation).

FMD in sheep and goats

FMD is often mild in sheep and goats, but can cause:

• Fever and mild lameness.
• Oral lesions (usually small and easily missed).
• Vesicles on the dental pad or back of the tongue.
• Foot lesions along the coronary band or between the claws.
• Milk production failure in lactating animals.
• Death of young animals from viral myocarditis.

FMD in pigs

Pigs infected with FMD may show:

• Fever and loss of appetite.
• Reluctance to move and severe lameness.
• Vesicles around the top of the foot, heels, and between claws.
• Vesicles on snout, in mouth, and on teats of sows.
• Abortion may occur and can be the first noticeable sign.

How to manage

FMD spreads by:

• Direct contact between infected and healthy animals
• Contaminated materials such as meat, hides, soil, and equipment
• People (clothing, footwear, hands)
• Windborne spread over short distances

The virus is hardy — it survives in frozen or chilled animal products.

Key steps

• Do not move animals showing suspect lesions or illness.
• Clean and disinfect vehicles, equipment, and clothing after animal contact.
• Avoid bringing imported meat or dairy products onto farms.
• Isolate new or returning livestock before mixing with the main herd.

Remember, FMD is a nationally notifiable disease. If you suspect FMD, you must report it immediately to: Local Land Services District Veterinarian — 1300 795 299 OR Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline — 1800 675 888

How to treat

There is no specific treatment for FMD.

Overseas, supportive treatments may include:

• antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections
• mild disinfectants for lesions

Vaccination is complex because:

• there are many FMD virus strains
• vaccine protection is short-lived (often less than 12 months)
• the vaccine must match the specific regional strain

Australia is currently free from FMD without vaccination, which allows trade to continue.

A national FMD vaccine bank is maintained for emergency use if an outbreak occurs.

How to prevent

Prevention relies on strong biosecurity and early reporting.

• Do not feed animals imported meat or dairy products.
• Avoid bringing imported meat or dairy products onto farms. FMD virus can survive in frozen, chilled, or freeze-dried foods including meat and dairy.
• Clean and disinfect equipment, footwear, and vehicles that have been near livestock.
• Quarantine new or returning stock.
• Report any suspicious lesions or lameness immediately.

If FMD is ever detected in Australia, emergency plans include:

• immediate quarantine of affected properties
• tracing and surveillance of livestock movements
• slaughter of infected and exposed animals to stop spread.

Further information

• Read more:Prohibited matter and notifiable diseases.
• Emergency contact:
  • Local Land Services District Vet — 1300 795 299
  • Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline — 1800 675 888