About Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, posing a significant economic and socio-economic threat to Queensland and Australia, which has been FMD-free since 1872. The Queensland Government has implemented a Biosecurity Preparedness Program focusing on risk reduction, early detection, and response to FMD, emphasizing the critical need for vigilance, reporting suspected cases, preventing illegal food imports, and strictly prohibiting swill feeding to pigs to prevent an outbreak.

About Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

*   FMD is a serious and highly contagious viral disease.
 
*   It affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas).
 
*   Horses are not susceptible to FMD.
 
*   FMD causes severe disease, including blisters in mouths and around hooves, leading to lameness, excessive salivation (in cattle), reduced milk yield, and fever.
 
*   It is extremely contagious, often affecting multiple animals in a herd simultaneously, though clinical signs may vary.
 
*   Production losses can be prolonged or permanent, and the disease can be fatal in young stock.
 
*   Australia has been FMD-free since 1872, but it is common in parts of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South America.
 
*   Proximity to Asia and increased globalization heighten the risk of virus introduction to Australia.

 Economic and Social Impacts of FMD

*   Livestock industries are crucial to Queensland’s economic livelihood.
 
*   An FMD outbreak would have serious socio-economic impacts for both Queensland and Australia.
 
*   A large, multi-state FMD incident could cost Australia over $52 billion in lost revenue over 10 years.
 
*   The social and economic impact would be severe and prolonged.

If a FMD Outbreak occurs

If you suspect or confirm a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak on your farm in Australia, it is critical to act quickly and contact the appropriate authorities. Early reporting is essential for containing and eradicating the disease.

FMD is a notifiable disease; suspected cases in any susceptible animal species *must* be reported.

If you suspect FMD on your farm, call 1800 675 888 immediately and follow the instructions provided by animal health authorities.