The symptoms of FMD can vary from mild to severe and may differ between species and the strain of virus involved in the outbreak. Sheep and goats generally show fairly mild signs when infected compared to other species.

Because FMD is very contagious, many, or even all of the animals in a herd become infected, however, deaths are unusual except in young animals. The incubation period can be as short as 24 hours or as long as 14 days.

Signs can include:

• Vesicles (fluid filled blisters) and ulcers in the mouth, feet and teats
• Lameness
• Drooling
• Fever
• Abortion
• Drop in milk production
• Sudden death in young animals

If you suspect Foot-and-mouth disease immediately notify Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

If you suspect an animal has FMD:

• report it immediately
• do not move any other animals off the property
• keep the affected mob separate to all other animals on the farm.

A veterinarian or an authorised officer under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 will investigate suspect cases of FMD.

FMD cannot be differentiated from other vesicular diseases on clinical grounds alone. Laboratory testing is used to confirm or exclude a clinical suspicion of FMD and to exclude other exotic vesicular diseases and may help to identify an alternative diagnosis.

It is important to conduct a good clinical examination of affected animals and at-risk animals, document the clinical history and findings and collect a full range of samples. The Primefact – Foot-and-mouth disease - Field Investigation relink to PUB25/487 provides details of field investigation including biosecurity measures, sampling and laboratory submission.

Collect blood and oral swabs from every animal that is sampled, also sample oral, foot or teat lesions if present by collecting tissue, vesicular fluid and swabs of the lesions.

^*Phosphate Buffered Gelatine Saline – available from NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories

Sampling tips:

• Ensure good hygiene (e.g., fresh needles) between each animal to minimise risk of transmission.
• Record the temperature of each animal that is examined and sampled.
• Take note to determine estimated age of any lesions (see EuFMD – FMD lesion aging guide)

Further laboratory information and submission forms can be found here.

FMD can spread rapidly through close contact with an infected animal as the virus is excreted in the breath, saliva, mucous, milk, blood and faeces.

The virus may also be spread in contaminated meat and dairy products, bones, hides and other by-products as well as though animal waste (urine and faeces), soil, vehicles and equipment used with infected animals and carried on people’s clothing and footwear. Windbourne spread of the virus is also possible.

Pigs can become infected with the virus from eating contaminated meat, meat products or imported dairy goods. Other species are most commonly infected by inhaling (breathing in) the virus.

FMD is not of concern for human health or food safety.

In the event of an outbreak, commercially produced meat, meat products, milk and dairy products are safe to eat.

FMD is not the same as hand-foot-and-mouth disease which is a common disease in young children.

Prevention and preparedness

Strict quarantine, surveillance and biosecurity conditions are in place to prevent FMD entering Australia.

FMD is most likely to enter Australia through illegal imports of meat and dairy products infected with the FMD virus and subsequent illegal feeding of these products to animals. New South Wales and all other Australian states and territories have strict laws that prohibit the feeding of food scraps or waste to animals.

Australia is prepared to respond immediately if FMD was to be detected here. The nationally agreed Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) FMD Response Strategy guides how the response would be managed. In an FMD outbreak the response would aim to quickly stop FMD spreading and eradicate it through the following measures:

• restricting the movements of animals and their products
• strict hygiene and biosecurity procedures
• destruction of infected animals

Australia has a National FMD Vaccine Bank that may be accessed in the event of an outbreak. The decision to utilise vaccination will depend on the nature of the specific outbreak and a range of factors including the strain of virus, how long the disease has been here before detection and the potential for further spread from the outbreak location.

Resources

• Primefact – Foot-and-mouth disease - Field Investigation relink to PUB25/487 when completed
• Animal Health Australia – Foot-and-mouth disease – National Livestock Standstill
• Animal Health Australia – Foot and mouth disease
• Australian Government – Foot-and-mouth disease
• Australian Government – National FMD vaccination policy
• AUSVETPLAN – FMD Response Strategy
• WOAH Terrestrial Manual – Chapter 3.1.8 – Foot and mouth disease
• WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code – Chapter 8.8 Infection with foot and mouth disease
• EuFMD – FMD training videos
• EuFMD – FMD lesion aging guide
• Emergency animal disease – A field guide for Australian veterinarians
• Information for zoos and petting zoos
• Zoo Aquarium Association - FMD biosecurity guide
• Wildlife Health Australia - FMD information for native species, feral and zoo animals
• Wildlife Health Australia - FMD native wildlife fact sheet