In News:

• In July 2025, a concerning outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) led to the death of 16 spotted deer (chitals) at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune, Maharashtra.

About Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

Nature of the Disease

• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the aphthovirus from the Picornaviridae family.
• It affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, buffaloes, goats, pigs, sheep, deer, and camelids.
• FMD is not zoonotic, i.e., it does not affect humans, and it poses no food safety risk.

Global and National Status

• FMD is classified as a Transboundary Animal Disease (TAD).
• It remains endemic in over 77% of the world’s livestock populations, particularly across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• It severely disrupts livestock productivity, animal trade, and rural livelihoods.

Transmission and Symptoms

Transmission Routes

• Direct contact with infected animals.
• Indirect transmission through contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles, human movement, and airborne particles.
• Incubation period: 2–14 days.
• The virus can enter via inhalation, ingestion, or skin wounds.

Clinical Symptoms

• High fever lasting 2–3 days.
• Blisters and ulcers on the tongue, lips, hooves, teats, and mouth.
• Excessive salivation, lameness, and depression.
• Significant drop in milk production, weight loss, and growth retardation.
• In young animals, the disease can cause high mortality, while adults may suffer debilitating effects, affecting long-term productivity.

Strains and Immunity

• There are seven known strains of the FMD virus: A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1.
• Immunity to one strain does not protect against others, making strain-specific vaccination critical.

Diagnosis and Institutional Infrastructure

• Confirmatory diagnosis is conducted through laboratory testing at premier institutes such as:
  • ICAR-National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease (NIFMD), Bhubaneswar
  • Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly
  • National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal

Government Interventions and Policies

National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)

• Launched in 2019, the 100% centrally funded programme targets eradication of FMD and Brucellosis by 2030.
• Key components include:
  • Mass vaccination
  • Ear-tagging for traceability
  • Cold chain infrastructure
  • Disease surveillance and reporting
  • Farmer awareness and community participation

Integrated Disease Management

• NADCP is aligned with the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).
• Several institutions like NIVEDI Bengaluru and Regional Disease Investigation Laboratories contribute to monitoring and outbreak control.

Preventive Strategies and Recommendations

To strengthen India's preparedness against FMD and other epizootics, the following measures are vital:

• Expand FMD Vaccination Coverage: Include zoo animals, wildlife reserves, and peri-urban livestock in regular vaccination drives.
• Strengthen Veterinary Surveillance: Ensure round-the-year disease surveillance, especially during weather extremes (monsoon and summer).
• Upgrade Infrastructure
  • Expand testing capacity at regional levels.
  • Deploy mobile diagnostic labs in remote zones.
• Raise Awareness: Educate livestock owners, zoo staff, and veterinary professionals about early symptoms, hygiene practices, and reporting protocols.
• Develop Strain-Specific Vaccines: Increase funding for R&D in strain identification and rapid-response vaccines.
• Leverage Technology: Use AI, GIS mapping, and data analytics to predict outbreaks and monitor disease spread.