FMD

• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most economically important diseases in ruminants and all livestock industries.
• The disease has a wide range of hosts such as goats, swine, cloven-hoofed wildlife species, and ruminants.
• Horses are not affected by FMD.
• The disease is highly contagious with a 100% morbidity rate and a high mortality rate in young animals.
• The disease presents as vesicular lesions commonly found on the oral and appendages of the animals.
• FMD can also cause abortion in pregnant animals.
• The causative agent of Foot-and-Mouth disease is the Aphthovirus, a member of the family of Picornaviridae.
• There are seven serotypes of FMD (A, O, C, Asia1, and SAT (southern African territories) 1,2,3)
• In The Philippines, serotypes A24, O1, and C3 are present before.
• The most predominant serotype found globally is type O.
• FMD is highly resistant to environmental factors and common disinfecting agents.
• Past studies suggest that FMD is a zoonosis due to the evidence that humans with direct contact with animals that are positive for FMD show similar clinical symptoms.
• Drooling, frothy saliva, stamping of feet, lethargy, agalactia, and lameness are also clinical findings in FMD.
• RT-PCR, serology, and virus isolation are laboratory confirmation tests for FMD, with RT-PCR being the most sensitive.
• There is no available treatment for the disease itself, but supportive treatment, fluids, and antibiotics can help prevent secondary infection.
• Post mortem findings of FMD include necrosis of the heart, which causes a “tiger heart” appearance due to alternating white and red bands on the heart, and ulcerative lesions on the gums, tongue, palates, and feet.
• In the Philippines, which is FMD-free, immediate culling of infected animals and restrictions in animal movement are implemented to prevent the possible spread of diseases if suspected or reemergence of the disease.
• In regions where FMD is endemic, vaccinations can help limit the disease's spread.
• The incubation period of FMD is variable and host-dependent, with an average of 2-14 days in cattle.
• Ruminants can survive the disease and act as carriers, shedding the virus for 3.5 years in cattle, 9 months in sheep, and >5 years in African buffalo.
• Fever (40°), vesicular lesions in the tongue, hard palate, dental pads, lips, nose, gums, cheeks, muzzle, coronary band, and interdigital cleft are clinical findings in FMD.
• According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), though FMD is highly contagious there is no evidence to prove that FMD is readily transmitted to humans and is not a public health risk.
• HFMD (Hands, Foot, and Mouth Disease) in humans is similar to FMD it is caused by the enterovirus family.
• Transmission of FMD can happen through direct contact or indirect contact via secretions and excretions of an infected animal (saliva, milk, semen) or mechanical vectors (people, horses, dogs, cats, and vehicles), and lastly can be transmitted through air or inhalation.
• The virus may enter through ingestion, inhalation, and breeding.
• Once in the lymphatic system, the virus will invade and replicate on the epithelium lining of the mouth, muzzle, teat, feet, and areas of damaged skin (knee and hocks), and lymph nodes.
• Vesicles are formed within 48 hours.
• Morbidity may present 100% however mortality may spike greater than 50% of the herd.