Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Cattle

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), also known as "खुरपका मुँहपका रोग," is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs. It causes economic losses to livestock farmers, particularly impacting dairy and wool production.

Economic implications of FMD 

• Disease 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.
• Usually fatal in calves.
• Also affects sheep, goat (usually sub-clinically and are maintenance hosts) and pigs, which are amplification hosts (multiplies the virus around 3000 fold).

Etiology of FMD   

• Caused by the Aphtho Virus from the Picornaviridae family. 

Transmission of FMD 

• A highly contagious viral disease that spreads through contact, contaminated water, feed and air.
• The virus is present in saliva, milk, urine, and feces of infected animals.

Symptoms of FMD 

• Mouth ulcers causing reluctance to eat and drink.
• High fever (104°-106°F) lasting 2-6 days.
• Reduced milk production in cattle.
• Lesions and blisters between toes, causing lameness.
• Serious nasal discharge and excessive salivation.
• Vesicles may be seen on tongue, dental pad, lips, gums etc.
• Lesions on teat may lead to mastitis.
• Loss in condition may persist even after recovery.

Treatment Of Foot-and-Mouth Disease :

• No specific treatment for 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

Prevention of FMD 

• Vaccination of animals aged 4 months and above 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.
• Avoid feeding milk from infected animals to calves.
• Strict hygiene measures, including hand sanitation before and after milking.

Related resources

1. National Dairy Development Board
2. FMD -Clinical Signs, Its Prevention And Control - Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dimapur, ICAR Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre,
3. National Animal Disease Referral Expert System