FACT SHEET #1 Foot and Mouth Disease
FACT SHEETS
# 1. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) (Adapted from USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).
Introduction. FMD is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hooved ruminants. The United States has been free of FMD since 1929.
The disease is characterized by high fever and blister-like lesions followed by erosions on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Many affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated. It causes severe losses in the production of meat and milk.
What causes FMD. It is caused by a virus. The virus survives in lymph nodes and bone marrow at neutral pH, but is destroyed in muscle when in pH<6.0 after rigor mortis. The virus persists in contaminated fodder and the environment for up to one month, depending on the temperature and pH conditions. There are at least seven separate types and many subtypes of the FMD virus. Immunity to one type does not protect an animal against other types (no cross-immunity).
How it spreads. FMD can be spread by animals, people, or contaminated materials. An outbreak can occur when:
· People wearing contaminated clothes or footwear or using contaminated equipment pass it to susceptible animals.
· Animals carrying the virus are introduced into susceptible herds.
· Contaminated facilities are used to hold susceptible animals.
· Contaminated vehicles are used to move susceptible animals.
· Raw or improperly cooked garbage containing infected meat or animal products is fed to susceptible animals.
· Susceptible animals are exposed to materials such as hay, feedstuffs, hides, or biologics contaminated with the virus.
· Susceptible animals drink contaminated water.
· A susceptible cow is inseminated by semen from an infected bull.
Signs of FMD. Vesicles (blisters) followed by erosions in the mouth or on the feet and the resulting excessive salivating or lameness are the best known signs of the disease. Often blisters may not be observed because they easily rupture, leading to erosions.
Some other symptoms are:
· Temperatures rise markedly, then usually fall in about 2 to 3 days.
· Ruptured vesicles discharge either clear or cloudy fluid and leave raw, eroded areas surrounded by ragged fragments of loose tissue.
· Sticky, foamy, stringy saliva is produced.
· Consumption of feed is reduced because of painful tongue and mouth lesions.
· Lameness with reluctance to move is often observed.
· Abortions often occur.
· Milk flow of infected cows drops abruptly.
· Conception rates may be low.
Meat animals do not normally regain lost weight for many months. Recovered cows seldom produce milk at their former rates. FMD can lead to myocarditis (inflamation of the muscular walls of the heart) and death, especially in newborn animals.
Similarity to other diseases. FMD can be confused with several similar, but less harmful, diseases, such as: vesicular stomatitis, bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, and foot rot in cattle, vesicular exanthema of swine, and swine vesicular disease. Whenever mouth or feet blisters or other typical signs are observed and reported such animals should be quarantined and, laboratory tests must be completed to determine whether the disease causing them is FMD.
Where does FMD Occur? While the disease is widespread around the world, North America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and some countries in Europe are considered free of FMD. Various types of FMD virus have been identified in Africa, South America, Asia, and parts of Europe.
Prevention and Control. FMD is one of the most difficult animal infections to control. Because the disease occurs in many parts of the world, there is always a chance of its accidental introduction into the United States. Animal and animal byproducts from areas known to be infected are prohibited entry into this country.
Livestock are highly susceptible to FMD viruses. If an outbreak occurred in the United States, this disease could spread rapidly to all sections of the county by routine livestock movements unless it was detected early and eradicated immediately.
If FMD were to spread unchecked, the economic impact could reach billions of dollars in the first year. Deer and wildlife populations could become infected rapidly and could be a source for reinfection of livestock.
What can producers do? 1. Watch for excessively salivating, lameness, and other signs of FMD in their herd; and
2. Immediately report any unusual or suspicious signs of disease to their veterinarian, to state or federal animal disease control officials or to their county cooperative extension farm advisors. Producer participation is vital. Both the early recognition of disease signs and the prompt notification of veterinary officials are essential if eradication is to be carried out successfully.
For additional Information:
Contact USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services Emergency Programs
4700 River Road, Unit 41
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone (301) 734-8073
Fax (301) 734-8073
The APHIS Emergency Operations Center
(800) 940-6524
e-mail: emoc@aphis.usda.gov
Dr. John Kirk, Veterinary Medicine Teaching & Research Center, Tulare, CA
Phone: (559) 688-1731 Ext. 224.
CDFA, Animal Health Branch, Ontario, CA Ph. (909) 947-4462.
CDFA, Animal Health Branch, Headquarters, Sacramento Ph. (916) 654-1447.
Useful websites
http://www.aphis.usda.gov.
www.cdfa.ca.gov/animal animal_health/ahweb/
www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/index.html
www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.html
www.guardian.co.uk/footandmouth/flash/0,7365,443772,00.html
To minimize the risk of introducing FMD, livestock producers should follow the following California Dept of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recommendations.
If possible, exclude foreign visitors from livestock facilities for at least five days after arrival in the U.S.
Ask foreign visitors if they have recently been on farms and if they have made contacts with animals, especially in countries where FMD is reported or is suspected to exist.
Do not permit clothing, shoes or other articles (such as: luggage, cameras, jewelry, and watches) that have been in FMD-affected countries to enter livestock facilities.
Keep clean protective clothing and footwear available, if you let visitors on your facility. Require visitors to wear these items and thoroughly wash their hands prior to entering a livestock facility.
Do not allow meat or animal products from FMD-infected countries to enter your facilities.
Discourage close contact or handling of animals by foreign visitors.
If traveling to an affected foreign country, carefully wash and disinfect all clothing and shoes upon return to the U.S.
# 1. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) (Adapted from USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).
Introduction. FMD is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hooved ruminants. The United States has been free of FMD since 1929.
The disease is characterized by high fever and blister-like lesions followed by erosions on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Many affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated. It causes severe losses in the production of meat and milk.
What causes FMD. It is caused by a virus. The virus survives in lymph nodes and bone marrow at neutral pH, but is destroyed in muscle when in pH<6.0 after rigor mortis. The virus persists in contaminated fodder and the environment for up to one month, depending on the temperature and pH conditions. There are at least seven separate types and many subtypes of the FMD virus. Immunity to one type does not protect an animal against other types (no cross-immunity).
How it spreads. FMD can be spread by animals, people, or contaminated materials. An outbreak can occur when:
· People wearing contaminated clothes or footwear or using contaminated equipment pass it to susceptible animals.
· Animals carrying the virus are introduced into susceptible herds.
· Contaminated facilities are used to hold susceptible animals.
· Contaminated vehicles are used to move susceptible animals.
· Raw or improperly cooked garbage containing infected meat or animal products is fed to susceptible animals.
· Susceptible animals are exposed to materials such as hay, feedstuffs, hides, or biologics contaminated with the virus.
· Susceptible animals drink contaminated water.
· A susceptible cow is inseminated by semen from an infected bull.
Signs of FMD. Vesicles (blisters) followed by erosions in the mouth or on the feet and the resulting excessive salivating or lameness are the best known signs of the disease. Often blisters may not be observed because they easily rupture, leading to erosions.
Some other symptoms are:
· Temperatures rise markedly, then usually fall in about 2 to 3 days.
· Ruptured vesicles discharge either clear or cloudy fluid and leave raw, eroded areas surrounded by ragged fragments of loose tissue.
· Sticky, foamy, stringy saliva is produced.
· Consumption of feed is reduced because of painful tongue and mouth lesions.
· Lameness with reluctance to move is often observed.
· Abortions often occur.
· Milk flow of infected cows drops abruptly.
· Conception rates may be low.
Meat animals do not normally regain lost weight for many months. Recovered cows seldom produce milk at their former rates. FMD can lead to myocarditis (inflamation of the muscular walls of the heart) and death, especially in newborn animals.
Similarity to other diseases. FMD can be confused with several similar, but less harmful, diseases, such as: vesicular stomatitis, bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, and foot rot in cattle, vesicular exanthema of swine, and swine vesicular disease. Whenever mouth or feet blisters or other typical signs are observed and reported such animals should be quarantined and, laboratory tests must be completed to determine whether the disease causing them is FMD.
Where does FMD Occur? While the disease is widespread around the world, North America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and some countries in Europe are considered free of FMD. Various types of FMD virus have been identified in Africa, South America, Asia, and parts of Europe.
Prevention and Control. FMD is one of the most difficult animal infections to control. Because the disease occurs in many parts of the world, there is always a chance of its accidental introduction into the United States. Animal and animal byproducts from areas known to be infected are prohibited entry into this country.
Livestock are highly susceptible to FMD viruses. If an outbreak occurred in the United States, this disease could spread rapidly to all sections of the county by routine livestock movements unless it was detected early and eradicated immediately.
If FMD were to spread unchecked, the economic impact could reach billions of dollars in the first year. Deer and wildlife populations could become infected rapidly and could be a source for reinfection of livestock.
What can producers do? 1. Watch for excessively salivating, lameness, and other signs of FMD in their herd; and
2. Immediately report any unusual or suspicious signs of disease to their veterinarian, to state or federal animal disease control officials or to their county cooperative extension farm advisors. Producer participation is vital. Both the early recognition of disease signs and the prompt notification of veterinary officials are essential if eradication is to be carried out successfully.
For additional Information:
Contact USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services Emergency Programs
4700 River Road, Unit 41
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone (301) 734-8073
Fax (301) 734-8073
The APHIS Emergency Operations Center
(800) 940-6524
e-mail: emoc@aphis.usda.gov
Dr. John Kirk, Veterinary Medicine Teaching & Research Center, Tulare, CA
Phone: (559) 688-1731 Ext. 224.
CDFA, Animal Health Branch, Ontario, CA Ph. (909) 947-4462.
CDFA, Animal Health Branch, Headquarters, Sacramento Ph. (916) 654-1447.
Useful websites
http://www.aphis.usda.gov.
www.cdfa.ca.gov/animal animal_health/ahweb/
www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/index.html
www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.html
www.guardian.co.uk/footandmouth/flash/0,7365,443772,00.html
To minimize the risk of introducing FMD, livestock producers should follow the following California Dept of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recommendations.
If possible, exclude foreign visitors from livestock facilities for at least five days after arrival in the U.S.
Ask foreign visitors if they have recently been on farms and if they have made contacts with animals, especially in countries where FMD is reported or is suspected to exist.
Do not permit clothing, shoes or other articles (such as: luggage, cameras, jewelry, and watches) that have been in FMD-affected countries to enter livestock facilities.
Keep clean protective clothing and footwear available, if you let visitors on your facility. Require visitors to wear these items and thoroughly wash their hands prior to entering a livestock facility.
Do not allow meat or animal products from FMD-infected countries to enter your facilities.
Discourage close contact or handling of animals by foreign visitors.
If traveling to an affected foreign country, carefully wash and disinfect all clothing and shoes upon return to the U.S.