Facts About Hoof & Mouth Disease in Livestock

Hoof and mouth disease (often called foot and mouth disease) is a highly contagious, fast-spreading virus that affects any animal that has cloven hoofs. The hoofs and mouth blister and peel, and the afflicted animal may not eat. The virus can also attack the heart, killing the animal instantly. Hoof and mouth disease is spread through the air and through direct contact. There is a vaccine for the disease, although vaccinated cattle can still be infected.

  1. Symptoms in Cattle

    • The first signs of hoof and mouth disease in cattle are a reluctance to eat, dull, slow behavior, low milk production and a fever. Soon, sores and blisters appear on the lower legs, hooves and around the mouth. With the blisters comes drooling, nasal discharge and lesions that can burst and erode the area. If severe, the cattle will refuse to eat. Pregnant cattle may abort and young calves may die suddenly. Lactating cattle may develop lesions on the teats.

    Symptoms in swine, sheep and goats

    • In swine, the early symptoms of hoof and mouth disease are lethargy, fever and a reduced appetite. Large blisters will appear on the snout, but the hooves of swine are the most affected, usually severely enough so that the swine can no longer walk. Sometimes, the hoof is sloughed off. Nursing pigs frequently die, and pregnant swine may abort. Sheep and goats are affected less severely than cattle and swine. They will develop a fever and dullness, but the blisters are smaller and rupture sooner. The first evidence of hoof and mouth disease in a flock of sheep is often the sudden, unexplained death of young lambs.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Most countries use a vaccine in order to control hoof and mouth disease, but the vaccine does not prevent it entirely, as the virus is extremely adaptable. For this reason, control officials constantly monitor livestock moving in and out of developing countries. The vaccine does, however, keep the incidence of the disease low.

    Treatment

    • Hoof and mouth disease cannot be treated. It can only be contained. Most countries, including the United States, have an eradication program in place in the event that the disease is detected in the country. The program requires every infected or exposed animal to be killed and then burned or buried, after which the entire area must be disinfected thoroughly. There is a special department of the USDA that is trained to handle such an outbreak.

    Control

    • Hoof and mouth disease is found throughout the world. For this reason, the United States has to be vigilant in preventing the disease from entering its borders, as the cost of eradication would be staggering. Every year, large amounts (weighing several hundred tons) of animals and animal products are confiscated at borders, even while pressure is put on the USDA to allow imports from countries where the disease is rampant. Veterinarians who care for livestock are also under constant pressure to be on the lookout for the disease and report any suspected cases immediately.