A new outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in the North-West province. This is following confirmed outbreaks earlier in the Limpopo province and in the northern parts of KZN.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and more than 70 species of wildlife with buffalo as an important role-player as a subclinical carrier of FMD.  Although the morbidity (number of animals affected) is usually up to 100% in exposed animals the mortality (number of deaths) is fortunately relatively low. 

The Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) considers FMD a listed disease; a disease with the potential for rapid and far-reaching spread within a country and between countries, causing severe economic impact. The effect on our economy and especially the livestock industry, to which cattle contribute greatly is immense. The impact of FMD can be seen as direct losses or indirect losses. Direct losses refer to reduced production and structural changes in the herd in the event of an outbreak on a farm. The indirect losses refer to the cost of disease control and even more important the limited market access as a result of control policies.

These losses were quantified by Smit (University Stellenbosch) in a recent master thesis in the Farm level financial implications of foot-and-mouth disease control in extensive beef production systems. Simulated results from two production systems, one with a fixed breeding season and the other for a year-round breeding season, were shown. Results show that all systems are affected by a FMD outbreak, the delay in generating revenue due to the closure of live animal auctions negatively impacts on the businesses cash flow. A fixed breeding season does carry the most risk if the outbreak is concurrent with the marketing season.

Clinical signs because of FMD caused by SAT serotypes are sometimes very mild and can easily be missed. Infection may be associated with a high temperature, locomotory signs (limping) and blisters and erosions in the mouth and interdigitally

(between the claws). Because of the lesions in the mouth excessive salivation is one of the more typical signs to be observed. These animals will be reluctant to move and to eat. Very few animals will die from FMD, although younger animals may develop a terminal myocarditis.   

FMD may be confused with BVD/Mucosa disease, Bluetongue especially in small stock, some of the herpes viruses as well as Bovine Malignant Catarrhal fever (Snotsiekte). 

FMD is a controlled disease and by law (Act 35/1985) all suspected and confirmed cases should be reported to your local state veterinarian. They will then take control of the farms or area of outbreak and manage it according to a well-defined VPN (Veterinary Procedural Notice for FMD) which will include several biosecurity measures such as isolation, sanitation, and movement control. No animals will be allowed to move onto or from the farm. As a basic biosecurity measures outside of FMD outbreak areas all animals should only be bought accompanied with a declaration of health certificate issued by your herd veterinarian. Never, never randomly buy any animals if their origin is unknown. A good habit is also to quarantine all newly introduced animals to your farm for at least 30 days and at least 50 meters away from your resident herd. During the quarantine period all required tests and immunisations can be done while animals are observed for any disease, including FMD.  

Movement control of people and vehicles should also be considered and basic sanitation measures for people and vehicles and personal protective equipment including sanitising with a long-acting disinfectant, validated for effectiveness on FMD virus, should be implemented. People that have been in contact with FMD animals can harbour the virus for up to 48 hours in their upper respiratory system and should not be allowed on your farm for up to 5 days.   

Although this is a controlled disease, government on its own can’t resolve FMD. We need to start working together in clearly defined public-private partnerships to regain our FMD free status from the OIE. Every farmer needs to implement biosecurity measures to the letter by focusing on movement control, the role of humans and animals in the epidemiology of FMD as well as sanitation by using disinfectant products specifically registered for FMD under Act 36/1947, which are long-acting with a validated effectiveness for FMD virus.  

Source: Afrivet