Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease. It spreads through contact, contaminated water, feed and air.
FMD is rarely fatal for adults, however the milk production, fertility in females and draft power of males are severely impaired for life after recovery from disease but usually fatal in calves. The disease also affects sheep, goat (usually sub-clinically and are maintenance hosts) and pigs, which are amplification hosts (multiplies the virus around 3000 fold).
Foot & Mouth Disease poses effects of drastic drop in milk production and working capacity (draft animals), fever and serous nasal discharge and excessive salivation. Vesicles may be seen on tongue, dental pad, lips, gums etc. Vesicle in inter-digital cleft may lead to lameness. Lesions on teat may lead to mastitis. Loss in condition may persist even after recovery.
Prevention
* Get your animals aged 4 months and above vaccinated once in 6 months.
* Infected animals should be immediately separated since all excretions and secretions from infected animals contain the virus.
* All feed and fodder in contact with the infected animal should be destroyed.
* All equipment used should be cleaned and disinfected with 4% sodium carbonate solution or as suggested by a veterinarian.
* Healthy animals should not be handled by persons in contact with infected animals.
* The infected premises should be disinfected with 4% sodium carbonate solution or with the disinfectant suggested by a veterinarian.
* Vaccinating sheep, goat and pigs would control the disease to a better extend.
* Informing authorities promptly would enable them initiate control measures at the earliest which will help in limiting the spread of the disease.
Management of FMD
* Treatment is only symptomatic, the disease will run its course.
* Emollients may be applied on lesions to soothe pain.
* Contact veterinarian for suitable advice.
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