Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) : Are our farms and economy ready ?

Yaruikhan Ningshen *

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a widespread animal disease caused by an aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae that affects cloven-hoofed farm animals (cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat and pig) and a variety of wildlife species.

Although the disease does not normally cause substantial mortality in adult animals, it causes devastating effects on them, such as weight loss, decreased milk output and loss of draught power, resulting in a significant loss of productivity for a prolonged period of time.

In India, the yearly estimated economic loss due to FMD is INR 20,000 crore, with indirect losses due to trade barriers potentially considerably higher. Given the severity of the disease, India's FMD Control Program (FMD-CP) was initiated in 2003-04 in 54 districts across 8 States and later expanded to 221 districts, with the goal of creating FMD-free zones.

Under the scheme, all cattle and buffaloes must be vaccinated against FMD on a six-monthly basis with an inactivated trivalent FMD vaccine.

In September 2019, the Prime Minister launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NA-DCP), a flagship scheme to control FMD and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig population for FMD and 100% of bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis with the total outlay of Rs 13,343 crore for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24).

The main goal is to control FMD by 2025 with vaccination and eradication by 2030.

How does FMD spread ? It is highly contagious and spreads from animal to animal through direct contact with the infected animals or by aerosols. Transmission can also occur via fomites like boots, clothes, utensils and milk man.

o It is important to know that FMD is zoonotic and so is not transmitted from animals to humans.

Outbreaks : In 2020 alone, 8 outbreaks were recorded in Manipur. Maximum of 6 outbreaks occurred in the month of April and one each in January and June. 2 outbreaks were recorded in Imphal west, Senapati and Bishnupur, and one outbreak each from Chura- chandpur and Thoubal districts. The morbidity and mortality rate were 6.1% and 0.18% respectively.

Sign and symptom : Fever, marked decline in milk production, blisters on the tongue, lips, mouth, mammary glands and hooves. Foamy saliva and drooling, foot blisters causing lameness and reluctance to move or stand, blisters rupture to form erosions that heal over a period of weeks.

Prevention and control measures : There is no specific treatment after getting infected by this virus, however symptomatic treatment can be done to speed up recovery and to avoid complications.

o Provision of adequate drinking water.
o Mouth washing with 1% KMnO4 or 2% sodium bicarbonate solution.
o Apply boroglycerine paste on mouth lesions.
o Foot washing with 2% copper sulphate or 2-4% sodium carbonate solution.
o Vaccinate all animals kept in close contact with the affected animals.
o Isolation of the infected animals.
o Destruction of the carcass, litter, and susceptible animal products in the infected area.
o Disinfection of premises and all infected material (implements, car, clothes, etc.)
o Strict bio-security measures and restricted movement of staffs and visitors into the farm premises.
o Report any cases of suspected FMD affected animal.