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Foot and Mouth Disease
Background
About the Disease
Human Health
FMD Risk to Australia
Information for Travellers
Suspect an FMD Outbreak?
If you suspect an exotic disease in your livestock, immediately call the
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888
(free call within Australia)
Background
The 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the United Kingdom was the largest in history, causing losses of more than 8 billion pounds (approximately $AU 19 billion). It resulted in:
- 2030 cases spread across the country
- the culling of about six million animals
- losses of 3.1 billion pounds (approximately $AU 7.6 billion) to agriculture and the food chain
- 2.5 billion pounds (approximately $AU 6.1 billion) being paid by the Government in compensation for slaughtered animals and payments for disposal and clean-up costs.
As a result of valuable lessons learned from the outbreak - including from many Australian government and industry personnel who assisted the FMD eradication effort in the UK - the Australian Government has given high priority to strengthening Australia's FMD defences and preparedness, along with other major disease threats such as avian influenza.
Since the UK outbreak, the Australian Government has committed to invest more than half a billion dollars to prepare for and manage the FMD threat.
Australia has tightened its border defence with more rigorous cargo container inspection. As part of its other preparedness improvements, the government has:
- implemented a whole-of-government response and contingency planning
- developed an Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement to increase Australia's capacity to prepare for and respond to emergency animal disease incursions
- made provision for national livestock 'standstill' (quarantine) to combat disease outbreaks of national significance
- implemented the new National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) to improve tracing of livestock in an emergency
- begun developing animal disease simulation models (AusSpread) to improve understanding of disease epidemiology, and assist decision-making and emergency animal disease training
- improved disease surveillance systems
- established an Australian Veterinary Reserve to draw on trained private veterinary practitioners for animal disease surveillance and technical resources in an outbreak
- contributed significantly to the recently expanded International Animal Health Emergency Reserve (IAHER) comprising the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland and New Zealand (the agreement provides for inter-country sharing of personnel to combat emergency animal disease events), and
- improved contingency arrangements for FMD vaccine stock access.
Beyond its borders, Australia has invested heavily in building the capacity of countries in the region to combat diseases, including support for the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) Southeast Asia FMD Campaign (SEAFMD). This project involves the coordinated control of FMD by eight ASEAN countries.
Despite these efforts, Australia estimates that the cost of a worst-case Australian FMD incursion would be between $8 billion and $13 billion of gross domestic product.
The Australian Government is therefore continuing its efforts to combat the disease.
Future directions include work to improve control and eradication strategies. For example, the CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory is collaborating in an international project which aims to develop a more effective FMD vaccine and better diagnostic tests that would enable livestock disease control agencies to isolate and eventually eliminate the disease.
Review of potential effects of new technologies on Australia's FMD planning and policies
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is consulting with scientific and technical communities on a review of new and emerging technologies to improve the cost effectiveness of FMD control and eradication. and to reduce the disease’s impact in terms of human and animal welfare.
About the Disease
What is foot and mouth disease?
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most serious livestock diseases caused by an apthovirus. It is found in most parts of the world - the OIE lists at least 52 countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America that have reported the disease.
There are seven serotypes of the virus: A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3 and Asia1. These are further subdivided into more than 60 strains.
What species are affected?
FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals (those with divided hoofs), including cattle, buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, deer and pigs.
How is it transmitted?
FMD is a viral disease that spreads rapidly between animals in breath, saliva, mucus, milk or faeces. The disease spreads most commonly through the movement of infected animals. It can also be spread on wool, hair, grass or straw, by the wind or by mud or manure sticking to footwear, clothing, livestock equipment or vehicle tyres.
Pigs are regarded as amplifying hosts as they can excrete large quantities of the virus in their exhaled breath. Cattle are able to be infected by breathing in small quantities of the virus. The virus can be excreted by animals for up to four days before clinical signs appear and some animals can continue excreting the virus for long periods (years) after apparent recovery.
How infectious is it?
FMD spreads rapidly from one animal to another, especially in cool, damp climates and/or when animals are penned or housed in cold weather. The virus survives well at temperatures below 4 degrees celcius, but is inactivated as temperatures rise. It is also rapidly inactivated at relative humidity less than 60 per cent.
How does it affect animals?
Although FMD is not very lethal in adult animals, it can kill young animals and cause serious production losses. The clinical signs are fever followed by the appearance of vesicles (fluid-filled blisters) between the toes and on the heels, on mammary glands and especially on the lips, tongue and palate. These vesicles often combine to form large, swollen blisters that erupt to leave raw, painful ulcers that take up to 10 days to heal.
Foot lesions leave animals lame and unable to walk to feed or water. Tongue and mouth lesions are very painful and cause animals to drool and stop eating. Adults usually begin eating again after a few days, but young animals may weaken and die, or be left with foot deformities or damage to the mammary glands.
FMD is important in international trade in animals and animal products, with countries that are free of the disease banning or restricting imports from affected countries. This means an outbreak would have serious economic implications for a major livestock-exporting country like Australia.
Where is the disease found?
It is reported in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America. While Pan Asia Type O virus strain caused the 2001 outbreaks in Europe and has been reported in many countries, the Asia1 type strain has recently been reported in a number of Asian countries.
Is there any treatment or cure?
No. In order to regain FMD-free status, it is important to eradicate the virus as quickly as possible. If it is not controlled, the spread of infection is very rapid through susceptible populations, as occurred in the United Kingdom in 2001. Movement controls and slaughter of infected animals (along with other complementary control measures) are the only practical methods to eradicate this disease. Vaccination is used in many countries to control the disease in an endemic situation. However, using vaccination does have trade implications.
FMD and Australia
Is Australia prepared to handle this disease?
Australia has an internationally recognised capability to deal quickly and effectively with emergency animal disease outbreaks. Australia has a good track record of successfully dealing with outbreaks of disease in its animal populations. However, an outbreak of FMD could have dimensions significantly greater than anything we have had to deal with in the past.
Australia has in place detailed contingency plans and a comprehensive whole-of-government approach to managing animal health emergencies that are designed to ensure that resources from a wide range of agencies are available. DAFF collaborates with the states and territory authorities to coordinate national responses to animal health emergencies.
Government and industry’s state of preparedness is under continuous review and improvements to the national capability are constantly being implemented. Exercises are held regularly to test plans and train those who would be involved. Reports of suspect cases are used to test the systems already in place.
The degree of success in dealing with an outbreak will depend on the nature and extent of any outbreak. Early detection and reporting of the disease is vital to reduce its spread.
What plans are in place?
There is a comprehensive range of plans in place to deal with an emergency disease outbreak. These plans are revised and updated on a regular basis as part of continuous improvement processes. The Australian Veterinary Plan or AUSVETPLAN is the central plan for controlling and eradicating an outbreak.
There is also a national relief and recovery coordination framework. This framework sets out roles and responsibilities in dealing with the economic and social impact of a disease outbreak and returning communities to normal after an outbreak.
Individual agencies also have emergency management response plans. For example, DAFF has the Critical Incident Response Plan (CIRP) which details the role of the department in an emergency and the conduct of its response operations. For more information on CIRP, please contact the Emergency Risk Management Unit.
What systems are in place to quickly identify FMD?
The most important people in identifying and notifying FMD are usually stock owners and others who work with livestock. They should notify suspicious symptoms immediately to their local vet so that appropriate biosecurity arrangements to contain the spread of disease are instigated as quickly as possible.
Australia has an extensive network of both government and private vets who can identify the disease. This network includes 160 people who gained first hand experience of FMD from experience in the United Kingdom in 2001.
Where a vet confirms a suspicion of FMD they will immediately take samples and send these to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong for diagnosis. Diagnosis takes 24 hours. Meanwhile the premises will be quarantined and plans activated so the response can be initiated as soon as the results are known.
Has FMD ever occurred in Australia?
Minor outbreaks of possible FMD are believed to have occurred in Australia in 1801, 1804, 1871 and 1872.
What should be done if an outbreak occurs?
If you notice any unusual disease signs, abnormal behaviour or unexplained deaths in your livestock, contact your veterinarian, stock inspector, local Department of Primary Industries/Agriculture, or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 657 888.
Early detection is essential to reduce the potential impact of this disease.
Australia's response plans call for the rapid detection, diagnosis and eradication of this devastating livestock disease. Eradication would involve detection of infected animals and their humane slaughter and biosecure disposal.
Are there alternatives to destroying infected animals?
The primary means of eradicating an FMD outbreak is the humane destruction of infected animals. Other measures, such as the control of movement of livestock, are also essential. Vaccination may be used under certain circumstances.
Australia must make best use of new vaccine and diagnostic technologies to optimise FMD preparedness and response plans.
See the report on the potential effects of new technologies on FMD planning and policies.
How are infected animals and products disposed of?
In accordance with Australia's response plans, animals would be humanely destroyed. The carcases and any contaminated products would be buried or burnt. Trials are currently being undertaken to investigate the possibility of composting carcases and contaminated products.
How long will it take to respond to an outbreak once it is detected?
The response will be immediate on receipt of advice of a suspected case. The length of time taken to control and eradicate the disease will depend on how long the virus has been present before it is detected and the degree of spread.
If there is a single point outbreak authorities should be able to isolate and eradicate the disease quickly. If the disease has already taken hold and spread across a state or over borders, it will take much longer.
Early identification and reporting, and the need for vigilance on everyone's part, are vitally important.
What is the role of the Australian Defence Force in an FMD outbreak?
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) could be called on to assist during an FMD outbreak, as in any emergency, when the necessary resources cannot be obtained elsewhere. For example, the ADF might be asked to assist with transportation, engineering the construction of disposal pits, or logistics management.
What is the role of other agencies and arrangements in an FMD outbreak?
Effective emergency management requires a partnership between all levels of government, the private sector and the community. Other response agencies include health and conservation departments, local government, police, emergency services and volunteer organisations. Australia has access to skilled personnel from overseas through the International Animal Health Emergency Reserve (IAHER), and to specially trained Australian veterinarians through the Australian Veterinary Reserve.
Simulation exercises
States and territories regularly hold training exercises to prepare and maintain staff skills. Australia conducted a major national simulation Exercise Minotaur, in 2002 involving Commonwealth, state, territory and industry personnel to evaluate what further improvements could be made to existing plans, and to train people who may be involved in response activities. Individual agencies also test and fine-tune their response plans.
Education and awareness
The long-running Protect Australian Livestock campaign encouraged farmers to 'look, check, ask a vet' and report any suspect symptoms to their vet to agricultural authority.
Over the past few years a lot of information has also been made available about on-farm biosecurity. Biosecurity has been a long-standing practice amongst larger producers, such as those in intensive livestock industries, but more recently, hobby farmers and those on small rural landholdings have been included in the campaign. See DAFF's small rural landholder biosecurity information and Animal Health Australia's Farm Biosecurity website.
Animal Health Australia holds regular training programs for veterinarians, government staff and industry personnel.
Industry and government liaison
Industry has an active role in the development of disease response plans and will play an important role in any response. Response plans are complemented by the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement which defines the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies and ensures that funding arrangements for a response have been pre-agreed. The AUSVETPLAN Control Centres Manual also describes the roles and responsibilities of participants.
Human Health
Does FMD affect humans?
Human infections have been reported but they are very rare and do not result in serious disease. Humans can carry the virus in their nose for up to 24 hours and can be a source of infection for animals.
Is the human hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) the same thing as FMD in livestock?
No. The two diseases are quite different and are caused by different organisms. Viruses from the group called enteroviruses cause HFMD. FMD in livestock is not a threat to human health.
HFMD affects the inside of the mouth, the palm of the hands, fingers and soles of the feet, mostly in children. Typical symptoms include a rash or ulcers in the mouth, on the inner cheeks, gums, sides of the tongue, and bumps or blisters on the hand, feet and sometimes other parts of the skin which may last seven to 10 days. Seek medical attention if you think you or your child may be affected.
FMD Risk to Australia
Is Australia vulnerable?
Yes. Australia’s large domestic animal industries have not been exposed to this disease and are fully susceptible. Despite the implementation of regional control programs, FMD continues to cause problems in many parts of the world, including South East Asia. FMD is found as close to Australia as the Philippines. Australia has successfully kept FMD out of the country for more than 130 years, but FMD has shown its ability to establish and spread in a wide range of environmental and production systems around the world. Vigilance and preparedness are essential safeguards.
What would be the consequences of an FMD outbreak in Australia?
FMD would have very serious effects on Australia’s livestock industries, since so many species found here are susceptible. However, well developed exotic disease outbreak procedures are in place that involve all levels of government and the livestock industries. Those procedures are regularly tested, updated and improved.
The Productivity Commission’s research report, Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease in Australia, examined the potential social, economic and environmental consequences of an FMD outbreak in detail. The commission’s worst-case scenario involved key beef and lamb export markets being closed for 15 months. The cost of a FMD incursion under this scenario would be between $8 billion and $13 billion of gross domestic product and its consequences would be felt for nearly 10 years after the event.
Even an isolated outbreak brought rapidly under control was estimated to cost $2 to $3 billion in gross domestic product.
How could FMD virus enter Australia?
Australia doesn't allow imports of any susceptible live animals, semen or uncooked meat or unprocessed dairy products from FMD-affected countries or zones. FMD virus is most likely to be introduced in contaminated, illegally imported animal products.
Information for Travellers
Important quarantine information for international travellers can be found on the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website.
Can I get FMD from eating affected meat while I'm in an FMD affected country?
FMD is not transmitted to humans in meat.
Foot and Mouth Disease International Symposium and Workshop
12-14 April 2010, Melbourne Australia
More information at www.fmd2010.com.au