Overview of Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is an extremely contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo. The disease spreads rapidly through direct contact, contaminated equipment, and aerosols, making it one of the most serious transboundary animal diseases worldwide.

Symptoms and Economic Impact

Clinical signs include fever, excessive salivation, and painful blisters on the mouth, tongue, feet, and teats. Affected animals show reluctance to eat or move, leading to weight loss and sharp decline in milk yield. Although adult mortality is usually low, the economic impact due to production losses and trade restrictions is severe.

Control Measures and Veterinary Protocols

Control relies heavily on preventive vaccination, movement restrictions, and strict farm biosecurity. Infected animals require isolation and supportive treatment to prevent secondary infections. Veterinary authorities play a key role in surveillance, outbreak reporting, and implementation of regional disease control programs.