Foot and mouth disease
ALERT
Australia remains free of FMD.
In May 2022, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was reported in Indonesia. Spread of this outbreak into Bali was confirmed in July 2022.
The emergence and rapid spread of FMD in Indonesia has led to the implementation of heightened alert and screening activities at the Australian border by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Indonesia had been free from FMD since 1986 and the May 2022 detection brings the disease the closest it has been to Australia since that time
- It is critical that all livestock owners know the signs of FMD, and check their animals for them regularly
- If you suspect FMD in any animal in NSW, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline, 1800 675 888
- Veterinarians undertaking FMD Field Investigations can submit samples to the NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for testing
It is recommended that people who have been in contact with FMD-infected animals or infected areas DO NOT visit Australian farms, livestock facilities, or handle livestock for at least 7 days after returning to Australia.
It is critical that all livestock owners here in Australia know what FMD looks like, and that they check their animals regularly. If you suspect any signs of FMD it must be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or a local veterinarian immediately.
About Foot and Mouth Disease
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, camelids (includes alpacas, llamas and camels) and buffalo. FMD does not affect horses, or companion animals such as dogs and cats.
Australia remains free of FMD.
FMD can spread through close contact between animals and be carried on animal products, contaminated clothing and vehicles or by the wind.
FMD is not the same as hand-foot-and-mouth disease which is a common disease in young children.
Anyone keeping or working with cattle, sheep, goats or pigs should be aware of the signs of FMD. If livestock exhibit any signs consistent with FMD, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline 1800 675 888, NSW DPIRD or a Local Land Services District Veterinarian.
Preventing an FMD outbreak
FMD is most likely to enter Australia through illegal imports of meat and dairy products infected with the FMD virus and the subsequent illegal feeding of these products (prohibited pig feed or swill) to pigs.
Strict quarantine, surveillance and biosecurity conditions are in place to prevent FMD entering Australia.
New South Wales and all other Australian states and territories have strict laws that prohibit swill feeding. To help prevent FMD and other serious diseases, domestic and wild pigs must be prevented from eating food scraps. Pig farms, rubbish tips and ports are monitored to make sure that food scraps are not fed to pigs.
FMD preparedness
Australia has an internationally recognised capability to deal quickly and effectively with emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreaks. NSW has a strong track record of successfully eradicating disease in its animal populations, including the large outbreak of equine influenza, the outbreaks of avian influenza, eradicating and managing Japanese Encephalitis.
Government and industry are collaboratively undertaking significant FMD preparedness activities to make sure that if an FMD incursion occurs, it can be contained and eradicated as efficiently as possible. These activities include detailed response planning and a comprehensive whole-of-government approach to make sure resources are available from a wide range of agencies. There is a comprehensive range of plans in place to deal with an FMD outbreak.
The Australian Veterinary Plan or AUSVETPLAN FMD Response Strategy is a robust national plan which will guide response to any FMD outbreak in Australia.
Australia’s and NSW’s state of preparedness is under continuous review and improvements are constantly being implemented. Simulation exercises are held regularly to test plans and train those who would be involved.
NSW Government FMD Preparedness package
A $65 million investment to bolster the NSW Government’s biosecurity measures will fast-track the development of vaccines against Foot and Mouth (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease and help position NSW as leaders in the fight against exotic animal diseases.
The new funding package includes $3.5 million to drive forward plans for a national mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification system.
The NSW Government is also committing $55.8 million for practical, on-ground biosecurity risk mitigation and response preparedness activities, including:
- $26.3 million to expand a trained response workforce of at least 2,000 experts;
- $17.8 million for on-ground animal control activities such as funding to control potential infected premises, increasing culling of feral pigs and deer, and incentivising farmers to beef up their biosecurity plans;
- $9.7 million to enhance disease surveillance through new intelligent track and trace technology; and,
- $2 million to roll out targeted extension and awareness campaigns to educate livestock owners, handlers, and the community on clinical signs and reporting requirements, as well as how to reduce risks.
Response if FMD infection detected
If FMD infection is detected in Australian animals, an emergency will be declared under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and emergency measures will be enacted to contain and eradicate the outbreak.
An immediate livestock standstill will be called to help stop further spread of infection whilst the extent of the outbreak is determined.
Other measures to eradicate the FMD outbreak may include:
- Movement controls and enhanced biosecurity measures to minimise spread of disease
- Tracing the movements of animals, animal products, people and things to identify where the outbreak may have spread
- Surveillance and testing to detect infected livestock
- The humane destruction and biosecure disposal of livestock on infected premises
- Decontamination of property and equipment to destroy the virus
- A vaccination program may be implemented.
Frequently asked questions
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs. Cloven-hoofed animals are those with a split toe. It does not affect horses. (Camelids include alpacas, llamas and camels).
FMD is considered one of Australia’s greatest biosecurity risks. Australia is currently free of FMD, so an incursion would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health and trade. An uncontrolled outbreak could lead to immediate closure of our meat export markets for more than a year. Control costs have been estimated at more than $80 billion over 10 years. An FMD outbreak is not just a threat to the Australian livestock sector. It will impact other agricultural industries, particularly through supply chain demand.
Signs of FMD include:
- Blisters or erosions in and around the mouth, snout, tongue and lips, on teats or between and above the hooves or feet
- Drooling
- Limping, lameness or reluctance to move
- Fever
If livestock exhibit any signs consistent with FMD, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline 1800 675 888, NSW DPIRD or a Local Land Services District Veterinarian.
FMD is most likely to enter Australia through illegal imports of meat and dairy products infected with the FMD virus and the subsequent illegal feeding of these products (swill) to pigs.
Strict quarantine, surveillance and biosecurity conditions are in place to prevent FMD entering Australia.
NSW and all other Australian states and territories have strict laws that prohibit swill feeding. To help prevent FMD and other serious diseases, domestic and wild pigs must be prevented from eating food scraps. Pig farms, rubbish tips and ports are monitored to make sure that food scraps are not fed to pigs.
Why aren’t we vaccinating Australian livestock against FMD?
Currently Australia is recognised as ‘free from FMD, without vaccination’. This allows Australia’s international trade to continue. If vaccination were implemented, Australia would lose this status, which would affect trade.
Does Australia have supplies of FMD vaccine?
Australia has an overseas FMD vaccine bank and vaccine will be available for use if there is an incursion in Australia.
If an outbreak of FMD did occur in Australia, would livestock here be vaccinated?
The decision of whether to vaccinate and how to apply vaccination is complex and will depend on many factors. An expert committee (CCEAD) will consider the use of vaccination from day one of an FMD response.
No. Australia’s FMD policy is to stamp out the disease by removing infected and high risk animals. This would be animals within an agreed radius of an affected herd. There are agreed methods in place to ensure that animals are treated and destroyed humanely.
FMD is not of concern for human health or food safety, it is a contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs.
Australia's Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) documents nationally agreed arrangements for the cost sharing of compensation paid to affected livestock enterprises, and payments are managed under jurisdictional legislation varying between states/territories: https://lnkd.in/gh-XxJ7E
