Foot and mouth disease

The last outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Great Britain was in 2007. Outbreaks in the UK in 2001 and 2007 had a devastating impact on the farming industry.

FMD is not transmissible to humans and is not a public health risk. 

Suspicion of the disease

Contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268, if you suspect foot and mouth disease.

APHA vets will investigate suspected cases.

Clinical signs

The clinical picture can vary depending on the affected species. The incubation period can take up to 14 days but often can be shorter. The most severe clinical signs are reported usually in cattle. 

The following clinical signs may be present:

• high fever
• smacking of the lips, grinding of the teeth, drooling and lameness cased by development of sores and blisters (vesicles) in the mouth, on the tongue and nose and/or between the claws and coronary band
• reduction in milk production
• vesicles sometimes can also occur on the mammary glands
• loss of appetite
• death of young animals from myocarditis 

Transmission routes

Animals can catch the virus by direct contact with an infected animal through contact with their saliva, milk, urine, faeces or semen. Virus can be present in expired air, in the fluid from ruptured vesicles or in birthing material.

The disease can also pass indirectly through:

• equipment
• vehicles
• people
• clothes
• mud
• bedding
• any other item that has been in contact with infected animals

Airborne spread of the virus can also occur in favourable climatic conditions. Some animals can recover from the infection and carry the virus causing new outbreaks of the disease.

Further reading:

Foot and mouth disease - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health

Foot-and-mouth disease virus | Virus | The Pirbright Institute

Preventing and controlling foot and mouth disease

You can help to prevent FMD from spreading by:

• responsibly sourcing livestock - consult your vet on the risks and health status of animals
• remaining vigilant to signs of disease and report suspicion immediately
• maintaining good hygiene and biosecurity on your premises, such as introducing quarantine for new animals.

Find out more about preventing animal disease and how the government will control an outbreak in:

• the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases
• the foot and mouth disease control strategy for Great Britain
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Wales) Order 2006
• the Foot and Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) (Wales) Regulations 2006