Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) on Dairy Farms: Signs, Care and Prevention

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD, "moonh khur") is one of the most contagious animal diseases. It is endemic in Pakistan and affects cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep. Adult animals usually survive, but milk can fall sharply for weeks, and young calves can die from heart damage.

Signs

• Fever and sudden loss of appetite.
• Heavy drooling and smacking of the lips.
• Blisters on the tongue, gums and lips that burst into raw sores.
• Blisters between the claws and on the coronary band, causing lameness.
• Blisters on the teats, which can lead to mastitis.
• A sharp drop in milk.

How it spreads

The virus spreads through direct contact, saliva, milk, dung, contaminated feed and equipment, people's clothes and shoes, vehicles, and even through the air over short distances. Markets and animal movements spread it between farms quickly.

Caring for sick animals

There is no cure for the virus, but good nursing reduces losses:

1. Isolate sick animals immediately.
2. Offer soft, palatable feed (green fodder, soaked concentrate) and plenty of clean water.
3. Clean mouth and foot lesions as your veterinarian advises; keep feet clean and dry.
4. Watch the udder closely and treat mastitis early.
5. Your veterinarian may prescribe treatment for pain, fever and secondary infection.

Milk from sick animals should not be fed to calves raw; boil it.

Prevention

Vaccination

FMD vaccine is usually given twice a year, about six months apart. Because several virus types circulate, use the vaccine recommended locally and keep the cold chain intact.

Biosecurity

• Quarantine new animals for 2–3 weeks before mixing.
• Limit visitors; provide a footbath and wash hands at the entrance.
• Clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment that come from other farms.
• During outbreaks in your area, avoid markets and shared grazing.

After an outbreak

Once the last sick animal has recovered, clean and disinfect the shed, feeding troughs, water troughs and milking equipment as your veterinarian advises. Check recovered animals' feet and udders closely for several weeks — lameness and mastitis are common after-effects — and make sure the whole herd is up to date with vaccination.

Record vaccination dates and every case. Outbreak records show how much milk the disease cost — usually far more than the vaccine.