Healthy Hooman | Health care | Healthy Lifestyle

What is Foot and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease (FMD) can caused by only touching someone, It is very contagious childhood viral infection. It can only be diagnosed by clinical, based on a typical history and characteristic clinical features. This can effects the children’s along with cloven-hoofed animals, primarily cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. This disease has significant economic and social implications due to its ability to spread rapidly and cause severe damage to the livestock industry. In this article, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, transmission, prevention, and impact of Foot and Mouth Disease. We search into the various aspects of Foot and Mouth Disease, including its causes, symptoms, impact, prevention, and control measures.

Causes and Classification

Foot and Mouth Disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Aphthovirus genus within the Picornaviridae family, specifically the Aphthovirus genus. There are seven different serotypes of the virus: A, O, C, Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2, and SAT 3. The virus exists in various serotypes and can mutate rapidly, making the development of vaccines and effective treatments challenging. Each serotype may manifest slightly different characteristics and can lead to different disease patterns. FMD is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, their secretions, or contaminated equipment and premises. It can also spread through the air, water, or consumption of contaminated feed.

The virus’s ability to survive in the environment, even under adverse conditions, contributes to its rapid transmission. Infected animals shed the virus through saliva, nasal discharges, and feces, which can contaminate pastures, feed, and water sources. Moreover, the movement of livestock, as well as the trading and transporting of animals and animal products, can contribute to the disease’s spread across regions and countries.

Symptoms

The clinical manifestations of FMD can vary depending on the species, age, and immune status of the affected animal. Foot and Mouth Disease manifests through a range of clinical signs, which can vary in severity. Common symptoms include:

1. Fever: An abrupt increase in body temperature, often accompanied by lethargy and reduced appetite.
2. Vesicles and Ulcers: Formation of painful fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) in the mouth, on the tongue, gums, and around the hooves. These vesicles rupture, leading to the development of painful ulcers that can interfere with eating, drinking, and mobility.
3. Lameness: Affected animals often exhibit lameness due to the painful foot lesions.
4. Excessive Salivation: Excessive drooling due to the painful mouth sores.
5. Reduced Milk and Meat Production: In dairy cattle, milk production may drop significantly. In meat-producing animals, the disease can lead to weight loss and decreased meat quality.
6. Secondary Infections: The weakened immune system can make animals susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, worsening the overall condition.
7. Weight Loss: Due to reduced feed intake and overall stress, infected animals can experience significant weight loss.

The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on factors such as the animal species, the serotype of the virus, and the overall health of the animal. While the mortality rate is relatively low, the morbidity rate can be high, leading to significant economic losses and long-term health implications for the affected animals.

Transmission

FMD is highly contagious and can spread through various routes:

1. Direct Contact: Infected animals shed the virus through saliva, nasal discharge, vesicular fluid, and manure. Close contact between infected and susceptible animals facilitates transmission.
2. Indirect Contact: Contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, water, clothing, and other fomites can transmit the virus.
3. Aerosols: The virus can spread through the air over short distances, especially in humid conditions.
4. Carrier Animals: Some animals, even after recovering from the disease, can become carriers and shed the virus intermittently. These carrier animals play a significant role in the persistence of the disease.

Impact on Agriculture and Trade

Foot and Mouth Disease has far-reaching implications for agriculture and trade. When an outbreak occurs, affected countries often face trade restrictions imposed by other nations to prevent the spread of the virus. This can result in a halt to exports of livestock, meat, and animal products, leading to substantial financial losses for farmers and the entire agricultural industry.

The disease’s impact extends beyond trade disruptions. Infected animals may suffer reduced productivity, leading to decreased meat and milk production. Additionally, efforts to control the spread of the virus can necessitate culling and slaughtering of infected and susceptible animals in the affected areas, leading to both economic and ethical concerns.

Prevention and Control

FMD control involves a combination of vaccination, strict biosecurity measures, and surveillance. Vaccination strategies differ based on the endemicity of the disease and the desired outcome:

1. Emergency Vaccination: Deployed during outbreaks to quickly limit the spread of the virus. This approach focuses on vaccinating animals at the immediate periphery of the outbreak.
2. Preventive Vaccination: Implemented in endemic regions to reduce the overall disease burden. Regular vaccination of susceptible animals helps maintain a level of immunity within the population.
3. Stamping Out: Involves the culling of infected and in-contact animals to prevent further spread. This is often implemented in conjunction with vaccination to halt the outbreak.
4. Quarantine and Movement Restrictions: Infected and at-risk areas are quarantined, and the movement of animals and animal products is restricted to prevent disease spread.
5. Improved Biosecurity: Strict measures such as disinfection of vehicles, personnel, and equipment, as well as controlled access to farms, can reduce the risk of introduction.

Global Impact

FMD has profound economic consequences. The disease can lead to loss of production, reduced trade opportunities, and costly control measures. Outbreaks can disrupt rural economies, affect livelihoods, and undermine food security. Additionally, the fear of the disease can lead to significant trade embargoes, affecting not only the countries directly affected but also those with trade ties.

Human Health Concerns

It’s important to note that FMD is not a direct threat to human health. The virus does not infect humans, and the consumption of meat and milk from infected animals is not a risk factor. However, the disease’s impact on livestock can have indirect effects on human populations, particularly in terms of livelihoods, food availability, and economies.

Conclusion

Foot and Mouth Disease remains a significant challenge for the global livestock industry. Its contagious nature and potential for rapid spread necessitate proactive measures for control. Through a combination of vaccination, biosecurity measures, and international collaboration, efforts can be made to mitigate the impact of FMD on both animals and humans. Ensuring the health and well-being of livestock populations is not only vital for agricultural economies but also for maintaining the stability of food systems and the livelihoods of countless individuals worldwide.