In recent years, South Africa has faced a growing threat to its livestock industry: the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This highly contagious viral infection has already disrupted trade, weakened animal productivity, and cost the country millions in control efforts.
Yet, despite its severity, many farmers, particularly those in communal and rural areas, remain uncertain about how FMD spreads, what symptoms to look for, and most importantly, how to prevent it. Now more than ever, farmers need to take the lead in safeguarding their herds.
Understanding FMD, recognising early warning signs, and applying basic biosecurity practices could mean the difference between containment and catastrophe.
Prof. Ishmael Jaja, a veterinary surgeon, researcher, and associate professor at the University of Fort Hare, unpacks everything farmers need to know about FMD, from symptoms and vaccine challenges to prevention strategies and the critical role of timely reporting.
What is foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)?
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. “Foot-and-mouth disease is mainly an infection, a viral infection in cloven-hoofed animals. And what we mean by cloven-hoofed, we mean animals that walk on two toes,” explains Jaja.
The disease causes vesicles (blister-like sores), weight loss, lethargy, excessive salivation, and other visible symptoms that impact animal performance and marketability.
Related stories
- How to spot foot-and-mouth disease early
- Tips for cattle farmers: Pregnancy detection & calving management
- Endoparasite control: Treatments, timing and strategy
What causes FMD?
FMD is caused by a virus called Aphthovirus, which belongs to the Picornaviridae family.
There are seven different serotypes (variants) of the virus, and each behaves differently. Importantly, immunity to one does not protect animals from others.
“The virus is not cross-protective. So if one type of the serotype infects an animal, it does not convey immunity to the next one. If type A were to infect the animals in a farm, the next farm, which is type C, would have no protection,” Jaja explains.
FMD spreads quickly, especially in communal farming systems, and traditional control methods such as culling, movement control, and surveillance have struggled in the South African context.
“When you have multiple strains, it complicates control efforts.”
Understanding the FMD vaccine
The FMD vaccine is not widely available to individual farmers because of its sensitivity and the controlled nature of the disease.
“First of all, FMD is a reportable disease, a government-controlled disease because of the severity and economic implications. Issues around FMD cannot be thrown open to the public,” Jaja said.
Before vaccines are approved for use, they undergo scientific evaluation to match the local strain of the virus.
“The decision to use a particular vaccine has to be governed by science. And that science has to be proven to be efficient. This is one of the reasons why the vaccine is very scarce. It is not your regular vaccine,” Jaja explains.
Hidden carriers: How different animals spread FMD
A key but often overlooked aspect of FMD is how different livestock species contribute to its spread. According to Jaja, “We have what we call amplifier hosts. We have what we call maintenance hosts. We have what we call the indicator hosts. And these are different species of animals.”
Sheep and goats act as maintenance hosts, which Jaja explains is “just an organism that harbours and sustains a pathogen over a period and does potentially become a reservoir for that infection”. This means they may carry the virus quietly while farmers focus on visibly sick cattle.
Pigs are amplifier hosts: “It’s where the pathogen multiplies rapidly. Leading to high concentration and increased transmission potential.”
Meanwhile, cattle are the indicator hosts, where the disease finally shows. Which is why cattle are the hotbed of the disease.
To manage FMD risk, Jaja urges farmers to separate animal species. “Separating species in livestock farming in the communal area is very important.”
How to identify FMD in your herd
FMD symptoms can be obvious, but it’s important to know what to look for. Jaja notes that in cattle, symptoms include:
- Vesicles on the mouth, feet, nose, muzzle, and udder
- Excessive drooling
- Lameness
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Nasal discharge
- Abortion, often occurring with vesicle formation
Jaja notes that other diseases, such as vesicular stomatitis or swine vesicular disease in pigs, can mimic FMD, which is why lab testing is essential. “Pig farmers really need to report so that the laboratory can pinpoint precisely which virus is infecting the animal.”
When and how to report suspected FMD
Immediate reporting is essential. Farmers should notify their local veterinarian or the nearest agriculture office at the first signs of FMD in their herd or neighbouring herds. Failure to report is a serious legal offence.
“In South Africa, failing to report foot-and-mouth disease when it is suspected or diagnosed is a violation of the Animal Disease Act of 1984, especially section number 35,” Jaja warns.
Simple yet essential biosecurity measures
Although challenging in communal areas, biosecurity remains the most important defence against FMD. “Biosecurity is a tool to prevent. If you can prevent it, you will not cry later,” says Jaja.
Some measures you can start with include:
- Quarantine new animals before mixing with your herd.
“You need to have an area demarcated with whatever local material is available to keep those animals for at least a minimum of two weeks.” - Observe your animals daily for changes in movement, appetite, or behaviour.
“The act of observation, physical observation of animals, is very important. You would most likely find them struggling to move, struggling to eat, and even to drink water.” - Disinfect tools and equipment regularly.
“Tools such as dehorning blades, syringes, and castration instruments should be disinfected. Including the handlers of these animals must wear protective clothing.” - Separate livestock species such as pigs, goats, sheep and cattle, which play different roles in spreading the virus.
Veterinarians and animal health technicians play a vital role in safeguarding livestock health at the community level. As Jaja explains, their responsibilities include routine vaccinations, educating farmers on biosecurity measures, responding to disease outbreaks, and ensuring accurate disease reporting and surveillance. These professionals are often the first line of defence in preventing the spread of diseases like FMD.
“Farmers can find these professionals in various municipalities. All municipalities have agri-offices with animal health technicians in those places,” Jaja says.
Prevention starts with education
Jaja emphasises that empowering farmers with knowledge is one of the most effective tools in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease. “Education is very important, especially in this day and time. Read about FMD, know a bit about it so that your mind is conscientised on what to expect.”
He encourages farmers to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of the disease visually as well.
“Get to see the images of what it looks like so that even if it’s not in your farm and you go to buy animals somewhere, what you’ve read and the pictures you saw would help you immediately make a good decision.”
Through proactive learning, farmers can better protect their herds and prevent the spread of FMD across communities.
READ NEXT: ‘I am broken’: Award-winning EC farmer loses everything in floods
