Protecting Livestock, Livelihoods, and National Health
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continues to be one of the most economically devastating diseases affecting livestock in India and around the world. Despite extensive control efforts, FMD remains endemic in India, posing a constant threat to cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and pigs. In 2025, with improved awareness, stricter biosecurity protocols, and effective vaccination programs like the Government of India’s National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), farmers can make significant progress in protecting their herds.
This article gives you all the vital information every livestock farmer should know about FMD in 2025—its symptoms, prevention, vaccination, and biosecurity.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and pigs. The virus spreads rapidly and causes fever, painful sores in the mouth and feet, reduced milk production, weight loss, and even death in young animals.
FMD is not usually fatal in adult animals, but it causes severe economic losses due to:
- Reduced productivity (milk, meat, draft work)
- Weight loss and abortion
- Export restrictions
- High treatment and vaccination costs
The disease is caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), of which there are 7 major types (serotypes). In India, serotype O is the most prevalent, followed by A and Asia1.
Recognizing FMD early is critical to preventing its spread. Watch out for the following symptoms:
- High Fever
- Usually the first sign
- Lasts 2–3 days
- Excessive Salivation (Drooling)
- Stringy, frothy saliva
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Blisters (Vesicles) on Mouth, Tongue, Lips, and Gums
- Painful lesions
- Rupture to form raw ulcers
- Blisters Between Hooves and Around Coronary Band (Foot Lesions)
- Lameness or reluctance to move
- Animals may lie down or limp
- Sudden Drop in Milk Yield
- Due to fever, pain, and reduced feeding
- Depression, Loss of Appetite
- Young Calves
- May die suddenly due to heart involvement (myocarditis) even before mouth lesions appear
FMD is highly contagious. The virus is present in saliva, milk, urine, feces, semen, and even the air around infected animals.
Modes of transmission:
- Direct contact with infected animals
- Indirect contact through contaminated feed, water, equipment, vehicles, clothing, or footwear
- Windborne transmission (up to several kilometers under certain conditions)
- Vaccination
The single most important tool to prevent FMD is regular vaccination of all susceptible animals.
- Government of India under NADCP provides free FMD vaccination every 6 months
- All cattle and buffaloes above 4 months of age should be vaccinated
- Sheep, goats, and pigs should also be included where feasible
- Use only government-approved vaccines
- Maintain vaccination records and ear tagging
🔔 Important Note: Immunity from FMD vaccine does not last lifelong. Booster doses every 6 months are required to maintain protective immunity.
Preventing the virus from entering your farm is just as crucial as vaccination.
- Farm Entry Control
- Restrict entry of visitors, vehicles, and equipment
- Use disinfectant footbaths and wheel dips at the entrance
- Quarantine New Animals
- Isolate new or returning animals for at least 2 weeks
- Vaccinate before mixing with the main herd
- Disinfection
- Clean and disinfect tools, milk cans, footwear, and feeding troughs daily
- Use strong disinfectants like 4% sodium carbonate, 2% caustic soda, or phenolic compounds
- Pest and Rodent Control
- Prevent rats, dogs, and wild animals from accessing sheds and feed stores.
- Report any suspected case of FMD to the local veterinary officer immediately
- Government vets will take samples and initiate containment measures
- Isolation of infected and in-contact animals is critical to stop the spread
There is no specific antiviral treatment for FMD. Supportive care is given to ease symptoms:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs for fever and pain
- Antiseptic mouthwash for ulcers (e.g., potassium permanganate or boroglycerine)
- Soothing foot dips (tannin, copper sulfate)
- High-energy and soft diet (e.g., jaggery water, gruel)
- Antibiotics only to control secondary bacterial infections
Recovery may take 1–3 weeks in mild cases. Severe or weak animals may take longer.
In India, annual losses due to FMD are estimated at ₹20,000–₹25,000 crore due to reduced productivity, treatment, and market restrictions.
Effects include:
- 30–50% drop in milk yield
- 10–20 kg body weight loss
- Reduced fertility in breeding animals
- Export bans on meat and dairy products
For a small dairy farmer, even a few infected cows can lead to a month of lost income.
The National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) aims to eradicate FMD and Brucellosis by 2030. The key components include:
- Free FMD vaccination every 6 months
- 100% ear-tagging and animal identification
- Farmer awareness campaigns
- Strengthened veterinary infrastructure
As of 2025, over 60 crore FMD vaccinations have been completed under the program. But farmer participation remains the key.
FMD is preventable—but only if you act before the outbreak. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
✅ Vaccinate every 6 months
✅ Keep a clean and secure farm
✅ Quarantine new animals
✅ Report any suspect case immediately
Your cattle are not just animals—they are your livelihood. Protect them. Vaccinate them.
Because a single FMD case can shut down your entire farm.
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