Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

A second outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been confirmed in the UK, over 30 miles from the primary site in Surrey. 

This latest outbreak comes on the heels of an all clear announcement and has brought panic over whether Britain will face a crisis equalling the 2001 outbreak which cost the country £8.5 billion.  But what is FMD and what efforts go into managing an outbreak? 

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven hoofed animals such as sheep, cattle, and pigs which is easily spread by foot traffic, transport vehicles, vermin and infected animal contact.   FMD can be found in the bodily fluids and excrement of infected livestock even prior to noticeable symptom onset. 

And exposed animals develop no immunity post infection because there are 7 different strains - O, A, C, SAT.1, SAT.2, SAT.3 and Asia 1.

Infected animals normally recover in 2-3 weeks without intervention.  But the long term health complications can be severe. 

The worst affected are dairy cattle who suffer from lowered immunity (making them more susceptible to opportunistic virus and bacteria), reductions in milk production, lameness and multiple metastases post FMD.  Very young and very old animals can also die from FMD infection, often without any visible signs or symptoms.

Though FMD can be destroyed by heat, sunlight, low humidity and disinfectants, the disease can lie dormant under the right conditions.  Frozen carcasses, infected objects and dark, cold areas can keep the virus active for long periods of time.  And the normal course of action is destruction of infected animals as well as all animals which may be susceptible in the immediate vicinity of an outbreak.

Prophylactic vaccinations are available, but animals which have been vaccinated for FMD cannot be sold due to an EU ban on the practice.  For this reason, vaccination will only be used in the event of a national outbreak in which culling is no longer a viable option.  The UK keeps a stockpile of 8 separate vaccines with a commercial company in the event of such a scenario.

Therefore, containment of FMD is always the priority.  Restrictions are imposed on any suspect premises as soon as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is notified of a possible infection. 

Once confirmed by the laboratory at the Institute of Animal Health, mass culls are initiated in order to prevent further contamination.  The carcasses are then incinerated at licensed commercial locations.

Alongside mass culls, livestock movement is restricted to within an 8km zone with an additional 10km zone established for surveillance of an infected site and all foot traffic as well as unnecessary vehicle access is restricted to reduce the risk of transference. 

Defra also mandates the use of  approved disinfectant on footwear, clothing and vehicles before entering or leaving an infected premises.

Once carcass disposal has been completed, phase two of containment commences with thorough preliminary disinfection of the premises. Restrictions are maintained prohibiting unauthorised movement on to or off the infected site and, at an early stage, the destruction of vermin is arranged to prevent these creatures spreading infection to other premises in the vicinity.

FMD is endemic to parts of Asia, Africa and South America with sporadic outbreaks in other areas worldwide.  In 2004/5, affected countries included Afghanistan, Bhutan, Iran, Lebanon, Peru, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. 

The last outbreak of FMD in Europe was in 2001 affecting the UK, France and the Netherlands.

Though the virus can be contracted by humans, infection poses no serious or long term health effects.  The last reported case of human FMD was in the UK in 1966 and the symptoms are similar to influenza with accompanying mouth blisters. 

For further information on Foot and Mouth Disease and the current situation please visit: www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth