Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is caused by a highly infectious virus and among farm stock, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer are susceptible. Elephants, camelids, hedgehogs, rats and any cloven-footed animals can also contract it.
Foot and Mouth Disease can be spread by:
- Direct contact with an infected animal;
- Airborne spread from an infected animal;
- Infected material carried on vehicles' tyres and wheel arches and on machinery. This includes pick-ups, quad bikes, tractors, combines, trailers, any delivery vehicles, milk tankers, feed and fertiliser lorries;
- Infected material carried on e.g. people (e.g. hands, hair, clothing), equipment, sheepdogs, scavenging animals and vermin.
Minimising Disease Risk
The ultimate aim, as with any disease, and particularly with fast spreading diseases such as FMD, is to prevent infection. This guide has been produced to help those owning or caring for susceptible livestock to help keep their animals disease free.
Clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease
Quickly recognising clinical signs of FMD in livestock is vital to controlling the disease and preventing it from spreading.
Stopping the spread of FMD
Stringent biosecurity measures can help to avoid disease occurring or spreading to other animals. It is important to apply the biosecurity precautions that suit your farm. Carry out regular inspections of your animals. Make sure that they are properly restrained and that there is enough light to examine their mouth, feet and teats and check temperatures.
Contingency Planning
A Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan is in place should there be a disease outbreak. The Plan is written in such a way as to be capable of dealing with a major disease outbreak which could be spread widely across Scotland, or equally with a more limited outbreak.