Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs, causing fever and vesicles in the mouth and on the feet that can lead to salivation, lameness, and significant productivity loss.
How to Diagnose
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Fever with sudden drop in milk yield and reluctance to move; excessive salivation with drooling.
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Vesicles and erosions on the tongue, dental pad, gums, and lips; painful mouth lesions.
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Coronary band and interdigital vesicles leading to lameness and recumbency.
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Nasal discharge and depression; animals may isolate from the herd.
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Calves and kids may show myocarditis with sudden death without obvious mouth lesions.
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Healing lesions form granulation tissue; secondary infections may complicate recovery.
Type of Samples
Vesicular epithelium or fluid, epithelial scrapings, probang samples, serum, and whole blood as advised by the veterinarian.
Laboratory Tests
- Antigen/antibody ELISA.
- Virus detection/typing and isolation.
- RT-PCR for viral RNA.
Whom To Contact
1) Local Veterinarian Officer / Field Assistant.
2) NERDDL, AH & Vety Khanapara, ADMaC Core Lab, AAU.
a) Dr. N. N. Barman
Email: nnbarman@gmail.com
Mob: 09435558788
b) Dr. Abhijit Deka
Email: docabhijit93@gmail.com
Mob: 09864531247
What will you do
- Immediately isolate affected animals; restrict farm movement in and out.
- Provide soft feed and clean water; avoid rough fodder that aggravates mouth lesions.
- Inform the nearest Veterinary Doctor / Field Assistant promptly.
- Send appropriate samples via the veterinarian to the nearest diagnostic laboratory / ADMaC Core Lab-I, Khanapara.
- Disinfect premises, waterers, and equipment regularly as advised.
- Dispose of contaminated materials safely; prevent access by stray animals.
- Follow the official vaccination schedule for FMD control in the herd.