28/05/2021
1).WHAT IS FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.(FMD)
Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cloven hoofed( split-hooved) animals such as cattle ,goats,pig and sheep.African buffalos also gets infected but does not show signs of disease.The good part of this disease is that it does not affect people.
2).WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FMD?
FMD can cause direct loses due deaths especially Young animals,loss of milk, meat and draft power. Milking animals that have recovered from the disease do not return to full production.The disease causes financial loses due to production loses and restrictions to market access. The Government also loses a lot of money in controlling the out breaks of this disease.
3). HOW IS FMD SPREAD?
It is spread by direct contact between infected and non- infected animals.It can also be spread by direct contact with contaminated objects such as vehicles, hay,grass, footwear, clothing and mud .Calves can get the disease by drinking contaminated milk.The virus that causes FMD can remain alive for a long time in semen,urine saliva, feaces and milk.
4).HOW TO RECOGNISE FMD
•Lameness or limping
• Sores in the mouth, tests,testicles and on the hooves.
•Saliva drooling from the mouth.
•Reluctance to graze.
•Reduction in milk production.
•Overall lose of body condition.
•Occusional abortion in affected cows.
5) WHAT AFFECTED FARMERS SHOULD DO.
•Immediatly report to the nearest veterinary office or extension officer.Early diagnosis can drastically reduce the spread of the disease.
• Treat the infected sores in the mouth and hooves with coarse salt.
• Do not allow vehicles, animals carcasses or indeed ANYTHING else associated with animals of the farm before or until advice from Veterinary officials.
6). WHAT AFFECTED FARMERS SHOULD NOT DO.
• DO NOT visit other farms and areas that do not have the disease.
•DO NOT move animals from affected areas to other areas where animals can get the disease.
• DO NOT transfer any equipment and feed from areas where infected animals are to areas where there are healthy animals.
NB: MWATELELA, MWAMVWA, MWAMVELA, MWAUMFWA?
7) WHAT MUST FARMERS THAT ARE NOT AFFECTED DO?
•Be on alert and regularly look for signs of this disease in your herd.
•Restrict people and vehicles access to were the animals are kept.
8).WHAT MUST FARMERS WHO ARE NOT AFFECTED BY FMD NOT DO.
• DO NOT allow strangers to visit your premises where the healthy animals are kept.
• DO NOT get any equipment from areas where the disease has been reported.
• DO NOT get feed from premises that are affected.
•DO NOT visit areas where the disease has been reported.
• DO NOT graze your animals in areas where the disease has been reported.
9). CONTROL OF FMD BY:
a) Farmers.
•Present your animals for vaccination where it is done.
•Report all sick animals to the veterinary authorities.
•Monitor animals and isolate the sick ones.
•Obtain a stock movement permit for all animals.
b). Traders.
•Report all sick animals to the veterinary authorities.
•Report all illegal movements.
•Purchase animals/ products from FMD free areas.
c) Community leaders.
•Report all sick animals to the veterinary authorities.
• Support FMD vaccinations and animal movement controls.
• Report all illegal animal movements.
d) Government.
• Undertake research.
• Conduct vaccinations and disease surveillance on time. Enforce movement controls.
e) WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY.
Hope we will all get one or two things from this information.
