Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly infectious viral disease. The primary transmission route for FMD is by direct contact with infected animals and indirect methods such as the airborne route.
FMD can easily spread through contaminated feed and water, animal transport vehicles, and equipment, clothing, and footwear. It impacts animals with cloven hooves such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, pigs, goats, and camelids (llamas, alpacas, and camels).
It's important that livestock industries and animal owners are aware of the symptoms of FMD. Animals with foot-and-mouth disease typically exhibit symptoms such as:
Fever
Blisters or ulceration where blisters have burst in and around the mouth, teats, and feet.
Drooling
Reluctance to move or lame animals.
The best defense against pests and diseases is to implement sound biosecurity practices on your farm. Using preventative action such as hygiene, boot dips and wheel disinfection, cleaning and disinfection of the barn and quarantining new animals.
Find out more details in this article. Contact a Lionel's Vet representative in your area for enquiries: www.lionelsvet.co.za/sales-team
