By Talitha Janse van Vuuren, multimedia editor at African Farming
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) spreads quickly and easily – but understanding how the virus moves is the first step in protecting your livestock. Here’s what every farmer and livestock owner needs to know.
Where the virus hides
FMD outbreaks can spread rapidly, often before farmers even notice the first signs. This highlights the importance of vigilance and routine monitoring of livestock for early symptoms such as blisters in the mouth or on the hooves.
The FMD virus is present in infected animals and spreads through bodily fluids. It can be found in:
- Saliva
- Urine
- Faeces
- Milk
Because the virus survives in these fluids, even indirect contact, such as shared water troughs or contaminated feeding equipment, can serve as a pathway for infection.
How animals become infected
Livestock can contract FMD in two main ways:
- By eating contaminated feed or grazing on contaminated pasture
- By breathing in the virus, especially when in close contact with infected animals
The disease spreads particularly fast in areas where animals mix, such as auctions, communal grazing lands and transport facilities.
Humans can spread it too
Although humans do not typically become ill from FMD, they can carry and spread the virus between farms and regions. The virus can travel on:
- Dirty clothes
- Shoes and boots
- Hands
- Vehicle tyres
This makes movement control and hygiene absolutely critical during outbreaks. Farm workers, visitors, and transport personnel are often the inadvertent carriers of the virus, so strict adherence to cleaning and disinfection protocols can drastically reduce the risk of spreading FMD between farms.
Animals most at risk
FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals, including:
- Cattle
- Pigs
- Goats
- Sheep
- Buffalo
- Antelope
Farmers with mixed herds or operations near wildlife areas must be especially vigilant. Understanding which species are present near livestock operations can help farmers target monitoring and vaccination efforts more effectively. Wildlife populations, such as buffalo and antelope, can act as reservoirs for the disease, complicating eradication efforts.
Biosecurity is your strongest defence
Preventing the spread of FMD does not always require complex systems. Simple, consistent biosecurity practices are powerful:
- Clean boots.
- Clean hands.
- Clean vehicles.
Limit unnecessary farm visits, disinfect equipment regularly and comply with all movement controls and vaccination guidelines. Maintaining dedicated clothing, footwear, and equipment for each farm or section of a farm, along with routine disinfection, has proven to be one of the most effective ways to keep FMD out and protect the broader livestock industry.
If you suspect FMD or need guidance, contact the FMD Control Centre (Toll-Free): 0860 246 640.
Staying informed and alert protects not only your animals, but the entire agricultural value chain.
Source: National Department of Agriculture
