FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (FMD)
FMD
is an acute viral and highly contagious diseases
of cloven-footed animal characterized
by high fever 104-106°F. High
fever anorexia depression, fallen milk, milk yield formation of vesicular
eruption in mouth, feet and teats.
Transmission:
- Direct contact or indirect contact with infected animals and contaminated fomites; routes of spread include inhalation of aerosolized virus, ingestion of contaminated feed.
- Animal products:- uncooked, salted, cured meats, unpasteurized milk, other dairy products, green salted hides, semen and embryos.
- Entry of the virus through skin abrasions or mucous membranes.
- Wind-borne transmission - 10-300 km
- Aerosols from milk tanks
Ante-Mortem findings (Done before death in a
slaughter house):
Before
vesicle formation:
- Fever up to 41.7ºC
- Dullness
- Lack of appetite
- Drop in milk production
- Uneasiness
- Musle tremors
Vesicle
formation:
- Smacking of lips
- Extension salivation and drooling
- Shaking of feet and lameness
- Later vesicle on the muzzle, tongue, oral cavity, teat and on the skin
Post-Mortem findings (Done After death in a
slaughter house):
- Necrosis of heart muscle (usually in young)
- Ulcerative lesions on tongue, palate, gums, pillars of rumen and feet
Judgement:
- Suspect disease are prohibited in slaughter and to eat (in many countries)
- The whole carcass and viscera are condemned (in many countries)
