Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Be Prepared • Be Ready

Foot-and-Mouth Disease in pigs

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most contagious animal diseases and is caused by FMD virus. This is not the same Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in humans. Although FMD occurs in many parts of the world, Australia is recognised as free from FMD without vaccination. 

Signs of FMD

FMD affects domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, some camelids and water buffalo. Horses and Australian feral camels (dromedaries) are not susceptible. The virus is not a threat to human health.

In pigs, the clinical signs of FMD are variable and may include:

  • Severe blisters and erosions on the feet resulting in lameness
  • Detachment of the claw horn revealing painful exposed tissues
  • Blisters and erosions on joints of limbs, resulting in knuckling
  • Blisters on the snout, lips, tongue, inside the mouth and teats
  • Abortion and death in young piglets
  • +/- Fever (to 40.5°C)
* Early stage of disease

Photo credit: USDA

How is FMD transmitted?

FMD virus can be shed in the fluid of ruptured blisters, exhaled air, saliva, milk, semen, faeces and urine. Animals are infected by inhalation, ingestion and artificial or natural breeding. Whilst cattle are highly susceptible, pigs amplify the FMD virus with viral aerosols being 3000 times more concentrated than cattle.  

The incubation period is 14 days and infected animals can spread the virus before showing any clinical signs of disease. In contrast to ruminants, the primary mode of transmission in pigs is through infected feedstuffs, although direct contact and inhalation of contaminated aerosols also occurs. Illegal swill feeding of pigs is a significant risk factor.  Movement of infected animals is one of the most important routes by which FMD spreads between herds and farms.

Transmission easily occurs when animals are in close proximity. Contaminated clothing, equipment and vehicles can also spread the disease. The FMD virus can remain infective in the environment for several weeks to months in soil, manure, dried animal secretions, straw, hair and leather.  

Reference: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/service-industries-professionals/service-industries/veterinary-surgeons/foot-mouth-info/clinical-signs-pigs 

Pig Biosecurity Resources

Download the Pig Biosecurity Resources below

Australian Pork: Swill feeding – it’s illegal

Anti-Swill Feeding for food outlets

Translation available (Click link below).

Anti-Swill Feeding For Pig Owners

Biosecurity Visitors Gate Sign

Risk Management Planning for Emergency Animal Diseases

Download FMD Pigs Factsheet

If your livestock are showing signs of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, immediately call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 (free call within Australia).

On-farm Delivery Biosecurity

Off-farm biosecurity for service providers

VFF Foot-and-Mouth Disease webinar

Supported by

Apiam Animal Health
Telephone 1800 426 142
27-33 Piper Lane East Bendigo Victoria 3550

If you would like to know more about Apiam Animal Health visit apiam.com.au or please contact us directly.