Foot and mouth disease

FMD , mu khur, viral disease aptho-virus , picornaviridae

1. Foot and mouth disease Dr FAHAD Lecturer CMS [UAF]

2. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE ( HOOF AND MOUTH DISEASE ) Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is highly contagious viral disease which affects all cloven footed animals (cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, deer, yaks, bison, etc.). The disease is usually characterized by development of vesicles (blisters-like lesions) in the mouth and feet, excessive salivation and lameness.

3. ETIOLOGY VIRUS The virus is called Aphthovirus. It belongs to Picornaviridae family . There are 7 distinct serotypes ( O, A, C, Asia 1, SAT 1, 2, & 3 ) and there are a number of subtypes in each serotype. The immunity against one serotype (and subtypes) may not protect the animals from other serotypes (and subtypes).

4. Transmission The disease can spread through a number of ways; Direct animal to animals contact Through aerosols . Under suitable conditions of temperature and humidity; the virus can spread to other areas at more than 70 km distance with blowing wind. Through contaminated farm equipment, tools, utensils, vehicles, clothing, shoes. Through contaminated feed and water .

5. Transmission Through people (farm personnel, attendants, milkers, and visitors ). Through predators (domestic and wild). Through contaminated uncooked food of animal origin or feed supplements containing infected animal products. Also, through semen from infected animals.

6. Wildlife, a source of FMD spread

7. Clinical Signs The incubation period of FMD is between 2 -12 days. 1 st the development of moderate to high fever (104 - 106 F) that may decline after 2-3 days. There will drooling of excessive, stringy, and foamy saliva from the mouth. There will be development of vesicles (blisters ) in the mouth (tongue , gums and lips), which later rupture and leave ulcers. The vesicles (blisters) and ulcers may also develop on feet at the inter-digital spaces . Occasionally, blisters also present on the teats and udder.

8. Clinical signs There will be partial or complete anorexia (no eating) due to pain in the mouth. There will be much decrease in milk production. There will be lameness (due to pain in the foot). Sloughing of hooves, mastitis, panting syndromes , etc. are some of the complications of FMD. Newborn animals may die more with FMD than adults. The disease is very severe in exotic breeds of livestock with more deaths in calves, and also in adults.

9. Excessive salivation is a sign of FMD

10. Excessive salivation is a sign of FMD

11. Excessive salivation is a sign of FMD

12. Excessive salivation is a sign of FMD

13. Development of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth are important signs of FMD

14. Sloughing of tongue mucosa may also be seen in FMD

15. Sloughing of tongue mucosa may also be seen in FMD

16. Treatment Since it is a viral disease, therefore, no effective medical treatment for FMD is available. FMD antisera if available, can be used as treatment during outbreak. The mouth and foot lesions may be treated with antiseptics, e.g. weak solution of Potassium permanganate, Gentian violet, Mercurochrome solutions, or Boric acid-glycerin, etc. Antibiotics (e.g. Penicillin + Streptomycin, Gentamycin, Terramycine, Enrofloxacin, or Trimethoprim + Sulfadiazine, etc.) may be given to avoid secondary bacterial infection.

17. Control and Prevention The disease is endemic in Pakistan (prevalent throughout the country). It can be controlled by; Adopting strict vaccination schedule, All susceptible indigenous animals should be vaccinated twice a year . All animals of foreign breeds and their crosses should be vaccinated thrice a year. Adopting effective sanitation and biosecurity procedures, round the year.  

18. Vaccination automatic syringe

19. Control and Prevention The FMD vaccine to be used should be serotype (and subtype) specific. The vaccines will normally protect animals from developing clinical signs of disease but not necessarily protect animals against FMDV infection. Vaccination only provides temporary immunity, so the susceptible animals should be vaccinated frequently .

20. Biosecurity and quarantine measures All new animals should be quarantined and vaccinated against FMD before introducing them to the livestock farm. Prohibit the entry of live animals, semen, embryos, animal by-products, including feed from areas of FMD outbreaks. Restrict movement of animals, human, vehicles, etc. from infected to non-infected farms.

21. Biosecurity and quarantine measures Wash hands, shoes, vehicles, etc. with disinfectants before entering and leaving the infected farms . Use disinfectants (Phenol, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium Hypochlorite, etc.) at the premises of the infected farm to destroy or minimize the virus contamination. In case of outbreak of FMD, immediately report to the authority .

22. Important note Adult animals may recover from the FMD disease in 7-10 days but remain carrier for a long period. The virus may survive at the farm premises and contaminated fodder for more than one month under suitable conditions (humidity and temperature).

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