Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals (notably cattle and sheep). It spreads rapidly among livestock. The disease does not often kill many animals directly, but causes major economic damage by reducing milk yield, slowing growth, increasing treatment costs, and triggering trade and movement restrictions.
The disease typically begins with a sudden fever and loss of appetite.
Painful blisters (vesicles) appear inside the mouth — on the tongue, gums, lips — and around the hooves (feet). In cattle, blisters and lesions on hooves often lead to lameness.
In sheep/goats the mouth lesions may be mild, but lameness / foot problems become more visible.
In calves and lambs (young animals), myocarditis and high mortality risk increase.
Direct contact between healthy and infected animals.
Secretions: saliva, nasal discharge, milk, fluids from blisters — all carry the virus.
Indirect transmission: contaminated equipment, clothing, vehicles, feed, and livestock-transport tools.
The virus can survive in the environment for extended periods, especially in cold or damp conditions.
1. Quarantine and restricted movement — New animals should be quarantined (e.g. 21 days) and checked before joining the herd; disinfection of equipment/vehicles; controlling access to farms.
2. Hygiene & bio-security — Disinfection of barns, tools, footwear; maintaining strict hygiene standards.
3. Regular Vaccination — Use of approved multivalent vaccines; high coverage (≥ 80%) required for herd immunity.
4. Monitoring and early detection — Rapid reporting of suspicious symptoms, isolation of suspected animals, and appropriate veterinary intervention.
There is no definitive cure. Treatment is supportive: isolate infected animals; provide soft feed and clean water; ensure rest and reduce stress.
Secondary bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics do not affect the FMD virus.
Disinfect blisters and maintain clean environment to prevent spread.
Role of Nutritional & Immune-Support Supplements
Though supplements cannot prevent FMD, good nutrition and immune support help animals handle stress and recover better. Key supportive nutritional strategies may include:
Adequate amino acid supply (e.g., methionine) for immune & tissue repair.
Providing probiotics, prebiotics, and beneficial minerals (zinc, copper, etc.) to support overall health and resilience.
You must treat FMD now as a major ongoing risk: even vaccinated herds are reportedly affected.
Biosecurity and herd-management practices must be strict: quarantine new animals, disinfect equipment, control movement, ensure high hygiene standards.
Vaccination should continue — but don’t rely solely on it: track animal health, isolate suspicious cases, and treat proactively.
Given feed shortages + rising costs, nutrition management and immune support become even more important: quality feed, supplements, and tight herd health protocols may make a big difference.
If you source or manage livestock for breeding or dairy production, review your supply chains carefully — both for animals and feed — and prepare contingency plans (e.g. alternative feed suppliers, emergency bio-security).