FMD is one of the most contagious livestock diseases and can spread quickly through animal movement and everyday farm traffic – but strong, consistent biosecurity and early reporting make a real difference.

What is FMD – and why does it matter?

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock with major economic and trade impacts. It mainly affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, and can also infect some wildlife.
FMD is not a public health risk and is not transmissible to humans, but it can severely disrupt farm operations through production losses and movement restrictions.

What to look for: common signs on farm

Clinical signs vary by species and immunity, but FMD is typically associated with fever and blister-like lesions (vesicles) in the mouth and on the feet/hooves and udder/teats, often leading to drooling, lameness, reluctance to eat or move, and a drop in milk production in dairy animals.

The incubation period is typically 2–14 days, meaning animals may look normal before signs appear. 

Reportable red flags include: salivation, mouth blisters, limping, or hoof lesions – and animals showing these signs must not be moved. 

How FMD spreads (and why it can move fast)

FMD virus is present in secretions and excretions from infected animals and can spread through direct contact and aerosols (exhaled virus droplets).

The virus may be present in milk and semen up to 4 days before clinical signs, so “apparently healthy” animals can still pose risk.

Outbreak severity is closely linked to risk pathways such as:

• Introducing infected animals into a herd
• Contaminated transport vehicles, pens, equipment, footwear or clothing
• Contaminated feed/water/materials
• Mixing animals at auctions/sale pens or shared grazing/water points (high-risk mixing events)

Prevention strategies farmers can implement today (practical and proven)

1) Tighten animal movement and entry controls

• Move cloven-hoofed animals only when necessary, and follow applicable legal requirements (e.g., owner health declarations and any restrictions in declared areas).
• Buy from known “clean” sources and avoid high-risk mixing where disease status is uncertain.

2) Quarantine and observe all new or returning animals

• Keep new introductions separate from the resident herd for at least 28 days and monitor daily for fever, drooling and lameness.
• Prevent nose-to-nose contact with neighbouring animals using secure boundaries.

3) Control people, vehicles and equipment (your “biosecurity perimeter”)

• Restrict access: one entry point, visitor log, and “clean/dirty” zones.
• Provide clean clothing/boots and handwashing for staff/visitors; disinfect footwear at entry.
• Clean and disinfect vehicles, trailers, and equipment before entry and between farms – especially after auctions, abattoirs, or other farms.

4) Keep your farm environment “unfriendly” to the virus

Regular cleaning and disinfection of pens, buildings, equipment, and vehicles is recommended to reduce introduction and spread risk.

5) Work with your vet on vaccination and risk planning (where applicable)

FMD can be controlled using a combination of vaccination, movement controls and biosecurity, and vaccination decisions are made under national/provincial programmes based on the local epidemiological situation.

If you suspect FMD: act fast (and don’t move animals)

1. Isolate the affected animals and stop all movements on/off the property.
2. Report immediately to your local State Veterinarian (early reporting protects neighbours and helps shorten outbreaks).
3. Reduce spread risk while awaiting guidance: restrict visitors, disinfect key contact points, and separate staff working with sick animals from the rest of the herd.

FMD outbreaks place a heavy burden on farm families and cashflow – especially where quarantine and controlled movement are required.

Remember: meat from FMD-restricted farms may be safe for consumption, but export certification and movement rules can still limit marketing options – so prevention and early reporting remain the best protection for your business continuity.