Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by a virus from the genus Aphthovirus in the family Picornaviridae. The virus has seven serotypes: O, A, C, SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT 3, and Asia 1, each capable of infecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and water buffalo. Importantly, infection with one serotype doesn’t provide immunity against others. FMD can also affect wildlife, especially African buffalo, which can maintain and periodically transmit the virus to livestock.

Transmission primarily occurs through direct contact between infected and susceptible animals, as well as through contaminated materials (fomites). FMD causes painful vesicles on the feet, mouth, and mammary glands. In severe cases, it can lead to mastitis in dairy cattle and, in young animals, fatal inflammation of the heart tissue. Some infected animals become "carriers," harboring the virus in their oropharynx for extended periods, though pigs do not carry the virus. 

The following are standard case definitions to allow national health authorities to interpret data in an international context. However, during an outbreak case definitions may be adapted to the local context and the Red Cross Red Crescent should use those agreed/established by national health authorities. NB: Consider that during community-based surveillance, volunteers should use broad (simplified) case definitions (referred to as community case definitions) to recognize most or all possible cases, provide relevant risk communication and appropriate actions and encourage them to seek care. Other actors such as healthcare workers or investigators studying the cause of a disease, on the other hand, can use more specific case definitions that may require laboratory confirmation.

Case definition

No case definition was specified 

Single case

• Animal movement or migration from one place to another (for example during trade and nomadic livestock farming practices)
• Proximity to infected areas
• Inadequate biosecurity
• Proximity to wildlife reservoirs
• Sharing farm resources
• Contaminated feed or water
• Human movement
• Importation of infected animals or contaminated animal products 

Attack rates will vary from one outbreak to another. In case of an outbreak, consult the latest information provided by health authorities.

• FMD has a high attack rate, especially in susceptible populations of cloven-hoofed animals, often reaching 100% in unvaccinated herds. The attack rate also varies depending on factors such as the species affected, virus strain, and environmental conditions 

•  Cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and water buffalo 

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by a virus from the genus Aphthovirus in the family Picornaviridae. The virus has seven serotypes: O, A, C, SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT 3, and Asia 1. 

FMD is primarily transmitted through aerosols or direct contact between animals living in close proximity. This mode of transmission is common in densely populated herds, where the virus spreads easily from one animal to another, or when an infected animal is introduced into the herd. Additionally, fomites, such as contaminated bedding, feed, pasture, and water troughs, can facilitate the spread of the infection. Some infected animals become "carriers," harboring the virus in their oropharynx for extended periods, though pigs do not carry the virus. In pigs, FMD may be introduced when raw or improperly cooked infected meat is given to the pigs for consumption. 

The incubation period typically ranges from 2 to 14 days, depending on the virus strain, dose of exposure, and species of the affected animal. 

Humans are not infected

One of the caharateristic symptoms is the development of vesicles or blisters on the feet, around the mouth, and on the mammary glands in females. These vesicles eventually rupture, causing pain and discomfort, which often leads to reluctance to move. In dairy cattle, this condition causes reduced milk production, and mastitis is commonly observed.

Affected animals also exhibit excessive drooling and weight loss due to difficulty eating. Pregnant animals may suffer abortions as a result of the infection. The severity of clinical signs varies depending on the virus strain, dose of exposure, age, breed, and the immunity of the host.  

In severe cases, young animals may develop myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), leading to sudden death. Other complications include bronchopneumonia and myositis (muscle inflammation).  

https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Animal_Health_in_the_World/docs/pdf/2.01.05_FMD.pdf  

Vesicular Stomatitis, Swine Vesicular Disease, Vesicular Exanthema of Swine, Senecavirus A (Seneca Valley Virus), Bluetongue, Rinderpest, Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF), Contagious Ecthyma (Orf), and lameness due to trauma or other non-infectious causes 

• Virus isolation

  ⚬Complement fixation test
  ⚬Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay  
  ⚬Real-time PCR
  ⚬Agarose gel-based RT-PCR assay  
  ⚬Counter immunoelectrophoresis

• Serological tests  

  ⚬Virus neutralisation
  ⚬Solid-phase competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
  ⚬Liquid-phase blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay  
  ⚬Enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay   

Please refer to the appropriate local or international guidelines for clinical management. All clinical management including the administration of a treatment or vaccine should be conducted by a health professional.  

• There is no specific treatment. However, supportive care and treatment of bacterial and parasitic coinfections may decrease mortality  
• FMD vaccines are commercially available however these vaccines are typically inactivated and need to be specific to the FMD virus serotype circulating in the region. 

• Vaccines gives strong immunity