26/04/2026
📢 FMD important Tips
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)is one of the most highly contagious diseases affecting cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs.
It spreads rapidly and can cause huge economic losses due to reduced milk, weight loss, and movement restrictions.
🦠 Cause
FMD is caused by a virus that spreads through:
• Direct contact with infected animals
• Airborne droplets (especially in cool weather)
• Contaminated equipment, boots, clothes, and vehicles
• Infected feed, water, or pasture
• Farm visitors moving between herds
⚠️ Common Signs in Cattle
• Sudden high fever (40–41°C) 🌡️
• Excessive drooling or salivation 🤤
• Blisters in the mouth, tongue, lips, and gums 👄
• Blisters between hooves and around the coronary band 🐾
• Lameness — animals reluctant to walk
• Sharp drop in milk production 🥛⬇️
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Calves may die suddenly due to heart complications
🔍 What Happens to the Blisters
• Small fluid-filled vesicles appear
• They rupture within 1–2 days
• Painful wounds remain
• Animals stop eating or walking due to pain
🚨 Why FMD is Dangerous
• Spreads very fast within a herd
• Can infect multiple species on the farm
• Severe milk production losses
• Slow recovery affecting growth
• Trade and animal movement restrictions
🛡️ Prevention & Control Measures
✔️ Isolate infected animals immediately
✔️ Stop animal movement in and out of the farm 🚧
✔️ Disinfect boots, equipment, and vehicles 🧴
✔️ Restrict visitors
✔️ Use farm-specific clothing
✔️ Vaccinate where vaccines are available 💉
✔️ Dispose of contaminated materials properly
✔️ Clean and disinfect sheds regularly
💊 Treatment
There is no specific cure for the virus, but supportive care helps:
• Provide soft feeds (hay, mash) 🌾
• Give plenty of clean water 💧
• Clean mouth and foot wounds
• Use antiseptics for sores
• Veterinarian may give antibiotics to prevent secondary infections
📢 Important Tip for Farmers
Early detection and quick isolation is the best way to stop the spread. If you see drooling and lameness together, suspect FMD and act immediately.
