Ruqayyah Snyder
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer. It is not a threat to human health and is different from hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is common in young children. FMD has not been detected in Australia for over 100 years, and the country is currently recognized as 'free from FMD, without vaccination'. However, with the recent outbreak of FMD in Indonesia, there is an increased risk of the disease reaching Australia, and authorities have implemented heightened alert and screening measures at the border. Australia has well-developed response plans in place, and it is critical that livestock owners remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of FMD immediately.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Australia free of hoof and mouth disease? | Yes, Australia is currently recognised as free of hoof and mouth disease (FMD), without vaccination. |
| What is hoof and mouth disease? | FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. |
| What animals does it affect? | FMD affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, deer, buffalo, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. It does not affect horses or companion animals such as dogs and cats. |
| What are the symptoms? | Animals may show fever, drooling, and reluctance to move. Blisters or sores may appear on the mouth, snout, tongue, lips, teats, and between the hooves. |
| How is it transmitted? | FMD can spread through close contact between animals, contaminated feed and water, animal transport vehicles, clothing, footwear, and by air or wind. |
| What is the risk to Australia? | FMD has been detected in Indonesia, including Bali, which is the closest it has been to Australia since 1986. Australia has well-developed response plans in place, but an uncontrolled outbreak could have severe consequences for Australia's animal health, trade, and agriculture. |
| What is Australia's FMD policy? | Australia's policy is to stamp out the disease by removing infected and high-risk animals within an agreed radius of an affected herd. Australia has an overseas FMD vaccine bank for use in case of an incursion. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's preparedness and response plans
Australia has not had any reported cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for over 100 years. However, the country is not entirely free from the risk of an outbreak. FMD has been detected in several Indonesian provinces, including Bali, and there is an increased risk of the disease spreading to Australia. In response to this threat, Australia has implemented border protection measures focused on imports from high-risk countries.
To prevent the spread of FMD, Australia has invested in building the capacity of countries in the region to combat the disease. Australia supports the World Organisation for Animal Health's Southeast Asia, China, and Mongolia FMD (SEACFMD) campaign, which aims to prevent, control, and eradicate FMD through collaborative action. Australia has also provided support to Indonesia's FMD response, including supplying vaccines, deploying technical expertise, and capacity building through specialised training programs.
In addition to regional collaboration, Australia has detailed and well-rehearsed FMD response plans in place. The government's and industry's preparedness are continuously reviewed, and livestock owners are urged to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and report them immediately to a veterinarian or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. Early detection is crucial for successful eradication.
To further enhance preparedness, Australia has developed strategies such as the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy 2030, which aims to improve biosecurity capacity and surveillance in northern Australia. The country also has an overseas FMD vaccine bank, and vaccines are available for use in case of an outbreak. Australia's laboratory network and jurisdictions also work together to evaluate and improve the national surge response capacity for emergency animal diseases.
Overall, Australia has comprehensive preparedness and response plans in place to address the threat of FMD. By investing in regional capacity building, developing detailed response plans, enhancing biosecurity measures, and continuously reviewing and adapting to changing circumstances, Australia aims to minimise the impact of FMD and protect its livestock industry and trade.
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The impact of an outbreak
Australia has been free of hoof-and-mouth disease (also known as foot-and-mouth disease or FMD) for many years. However, the country remains under constant threat of an incursion due to the highly contagious nature of the disease. FMD affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer. While FMD is not a threat to human health, it has a significant economic impact on the production of livestock and can disrupt regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
The impact of an FMD outbreak in Australia would be significant. FMD is a severe and fast-spreading viral disease that can be transmitted through air particles between animals housed closely together and is easily spread through contaminated feed and water, animal transport vehicles, equipment, clothing, and footwear. The virus may also be present in milk and semen before an animal shows any clinical signs of the disease.
To control an outbreak, strict measures would need to be implemented, including vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions, quarantines, and the culling of both infected and healthy animals. Australia has well-developed disease outbreak procedures and detailed, well-rehearsed FMD response plans in place. The government and industry's preparedness are continuously reviewed, and there is an overseas FMD vaccine bank available for use in the event of an outbreak.
The early detection of FMD is critical to controlling an outbreak. Livestock owners and animal health professionals must be vigilant in monitoring their animals for any signs of the disease and report suspected cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or their local veterinarian. The disease is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue, lips, mouth, teats, and between the hooves. While most infected animals survive, they may be left weakened and unable to produce the same level of meat and milk as before the infection. Young animals are at a higher risk of mortality due to myocarditis or lack of milk if the dam is infected.
The impact of an FMD outbreak in Australia would likely include significant economic consequences, the culling of large numbers of animals, and strict control measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The early detection of FMD and the implementation of response plans would be crucial in mitigating the impact of an outbreak.
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How FMD spreads
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects livestock such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed animals. FMD has severe implications for animal farming due to its high infectivity and ease of spread through various means. Here are some key ways by which FMD spreads:
Animal-to-Animal Transmission
FMD can be transmitted through close contact between infected and healthy animals. This typically occurs in settings where animals are housed in close proximity to one another, allowing the virus to spread via air particles.
Contaminated Objects (Fomites)
The FMD virus can be transmitted through fomites, which are inanimate objects that come into contact with infected animals or their secretions. This includes farming equipment, vehicles, clothing, and feed. For example, the clothes and skin of animal handlers, such as farmers, can inadvertently carry the virus and transmit it to susceptible animals.
Aerosol Spread
FMD can be spread over long distances through aerosol transmission. This occurs when the virus becomes aerosolized and is carried by air currents, potentially infecting animals downwind from an infected source.
Contaminated Food and Water
Contaminated food and water sources can also spread FMD. This includes uncooked food scraps, feed supplements containing infected animal products, and standing water that has been contaminated by the virus.
Semen Transmission in Bulls
An unusual but identified mode of transmission is through the semen of infected bulls, which can infect cows.
Wild Predators and Vectors
Wild predators and vectors, such as domestic cats, can contribute to the spread of FMD by preying on infected animals or coming into contact with their remains. This can then transmit the virus to new areas or susceptible livestock.
It is important to note that FMD does not affect all animals equally. Some species, such as cattle are more vulnerable to infection than others. Additionally, asymptomatic carriers of FMD exist, making it challenging to control the spread. These carriers, while rare, can still transmit the virus under certain conditions.
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The importance of early detection
Australia has been free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for many years, but the recent outbreak in Indonesia has brought the disease closer to Australia than it has been since the 1980s. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer, and pigs. It is not a concern for human health or food safety, but it is considered one of Australia's greatest biosecurity risks. An uncontrolled outbreak could lead to the immediate closure of meat export markets for more than a year, with control costs estimated at over $80 billion over 10 years.
Early detection also enables the implementation of well-developed disease outbreak procedures and response plans. Australia has detailed and well-rehearsed FMD response plans in place, and federal, state, and territory governments have "war-gamed" FMD scenarios over many decades. By detecting FMD early, these response plans can be activated, and the necessary resources can be mobilized quickly to control the outbreak.
Furthermore, early detection can help to minimize the impact of FMD on animal health and trade. FMD can cause immense animal suffering and even lead to high mortality rates in young animals. Detecting the disease early can facilitate timely treatment and care for affected animals, reducing the severity of the disease and potentially saving lives. Additionally, early detection can help to contain the outbreak, thereby reducing the risk of border closures and disruptions to trade.
Livestock industries, animal owners, and anyone working with cloven-hoofed animals should be vigilant in checking their animals regularly for any signs of FMD. Symptoms to look out for include fever, drooling, reluctance to move, and blisters or sores on the mouth, snout, tongue, lips, teats, and between and above the hooves. If any of these signs are observed, it is crucial to report them immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or a local veterinarian.
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FMD's effect on animals
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that affects livestock, including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. The disease is characterised by high fever, blister-like sores on the tongue, lips, mouth, teats, and between the hooves, and excessive salivation. While FMD rarely proves fatal for adult animals, it can cause myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and lead to death in newborn animals. Additionally, infected animals may experience weight loss, swelling in the testicles of mature males, and a significant decline in milk production for cows. Although most animals recover from FMD, they may be left weakened and debilitated, making them more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.
FMD is transmitted through close contact between animals, air particles, contaminated feed and water, animal transport vehicles, equipment, clothing, and footwear. It can also be spread via inanimate objects like fodder and motor vehicles. The virus can survive in frozen, chilled, and freeze-dried foods, as well as in soil, bones, untreated hides, and other materials. Therefore, it is crucial for those handling livestock to be vigilant about disinfection and biosecurity practices to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease.
The economic impact of FMD is significant, disrupting regional and international trade in animals and animal products. Countries free of FMD are constantly threatened by the possibility of an incursion, and the prolonged loss of FMD-free status due to an outbreak can have serious trade and economic repercussions.
Australia has not reported any cases of FMD for over a century, but the risk of incursion remains, especially with the detection of FMD in nearby Indonesia. The Australian government has well-developed disease outbreak procedures and detailed FMD response plans in place. These include early detection and warning systems, implementation of effective surveillance, and access to vaccines if needed.
To protect Australia's animal health and trade, livestock industries, and animal owners must remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of FMD in their cloven-hoofed animals to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or their local veterinarian.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is currently recognised as 'free from FMD, without vaccination'.
Hoof and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer, and camelids. It is not a threat to human health.
Australia has detailed, well-rehearsed FMD response plans and arrangements in place. The government and industry's preparedness are continuously reviewed. Australia also has an overseas FMD vaccine bank, and the vaccine will be available for use if there is an incursion in the country.
