By Dr. Aaron TangemanQ : We recently had relatives from England inflict our farm here in Nebraska . My brother - in - practice of law say there had been a minor occurrent of foot and oral cavity disease there last twelvemonth and asked if we immunize our Bos taurus for it . What is pes and mouth disease and where can I purchase the vaccine to protect my herd?A : Foot and mouth disease ( FMD ) is because of a highly contagious virus affecting animal with cloven hooves such as cattle , sheep , Goat , and pigs . cervid are also susceptible and pose a significant trouble in controlling the spread of the disease in regard areas . In the United States you may hear FMD referenced as hoof and mouth disease ( HMD ) .
Infected animals may demonstrate a fever . Excessive salivation may grow early . corrosive lesions in the mouth , on the tongue and mouth can make it hard for the animate being to eat , lead to weighting expiration and decreased Milk River production . blister might break out around the teats , or between the hooves , create the animal lame and loth to move . FMD symptoms can be flurry with vesicular stomatitis .
The United States has been free from foot and sass disease since 1929 and claims FMD - free status , which is economically beneficial to our James Leonard Farmer and ranchers engaging in international swap . mundane vaccination for FMD would eliminate that assignment , cost farmers and rancher who commercialise internationally zillion , perhaps billions of dollar , in lost income .
The USDA ’s reluctance to implement a routine vaccination course of study stem from several root . While vaccinating an animal may prevent it from developing the clinical signs of FMD , it may not forbid the computer virus from infect the animate being . A immunized beast can be queer to and pack the virus for an lengthy period of time . Because there are seven different type of FMD computer virus currently key out and over 60 subtypes , each vaccinum need to be sew to the specific case and subtype of the virus involve in an outbreak . It is possible to foul a farm that is uninfected by carrying the computer virus from an infected farm on wear , shoes or vehicles .
In a suspect outbreak , the USDA ’s first response would be one of “ stamp out , ” quarantining herd and bound human dealings to farms with outbreak to decrease the risk of transmission system . During a suspected FMD outbreak , USDA officials will ordinate with state and local forces to inform livestock producers and the public of necessary quarantine and vaccination protocols , culling herds as need . Because FMD is so virulent , cervid and other wildlife that would be difficult to contend are at risk for contracting and transmitting the disease .
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center ( PIADC ) , turn up off the coast of Long Island , is the only quickness housing the FMD vaccine bank . In 2003 , the PIADC was transferred to the control of the Department of Homeland Security to monitor safety of livestock production and food supply against the threat of “ agroterrorism . ” The Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ) is currently conducting research with GenVec , Inc. to develop a vaccinum without using infectious FMD material .
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Dr. Aaron Tangemanreceived his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University in 1998 and practice in Northeast Ohio .
