Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

What is foot-and-mouth disease?

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of animals with split hooves, including cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. In many villages it is called khurpaka-munhpaka. The virus spreads very fast through direct contact, saliva, milk, dung and breath, and on feed, vehicles, equipment, clothes and shoes.

FMD is a notifiable disease, which means cases must be reported. If you suspect it, tell your veterinarian or the animal husbandry department.

Most adult animals survive, but milk yield and fertility can stay low for a long time, and pregnant animals may abort. Young calves can die suddenly, because the virus can damage the heart.

Signs to watch for

Common signs include:

• High fever and dullness
• Heavy, stringy drooling and lip smacking
• Blisters or raw sores on the tongue, gums and lips
• Blisters between the hooves, and lameness
• Sores on the teats
• Not eating, and a sudden drop in milk

Which lab tests help

The FMD Virus RT-PCR looks for the virus's genetic material in blister fluid, the skin covering fresh blisters, or mouth swabs. Samples are taken by a veterinarian. The FMD Virus Serotyping (O, A & Asia 1) shows which type of FMD virus is present; this may be done through a reference laboratory, and the lab confirms this when you book.

Antibody tests, which look for the proteins the body makes against the virus, answer different questions. The FMD NSP (3ABC) Antibody ELISA looks for antibodies that point to past or current infection rather than vaccination. The FMD Structural-Protein Antibody ELISA (Vaccine Response) measures antibodies that rise after vaccination, so it is used to see how a herd responded to vaccine. It does not tell you exactly how protected an animal is. The FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Test - RT-PCR / ELISA is the lab's general FMD test; the lab confirms the method when you book.

A registered veterinarian interprets every result together with the herd's signs, vaccination and history. Testing helps confirm the disease, but it cannot by itself stop an outbreak.

When to see your vet

Call your vet at once if animals have fever, drooling, mouth blisters or lameness. Tell your veterinarian or the animal husbandry department, and follow their guidance. Ask your vet about vaccination.

Testing in Bhopal

Pashupatinath Vet Lab is in Shahpura, Bhopal, and provides free sample collection anywhere in Bhopal. For suspected FMD, call the lab on +91 88175 01118 before sending anything, so it can confirm how samples taken by your vet should be packed and sent. From other districts, samples come through your local vet, by courier or by bus parcel. The Herd Screening Pack includes an FMD test with brucellosis, tick fever and worm tests. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.