Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection disease that is usually seen in animals but can also rarely affect humans. It usually affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and wild boars. In animals, involvement is most common in the mouth and nails. What is foot and mouth disease and what are its symptoms? Can it be transmitted to humans? How is foot and mouth disease treated? Answers to questions like these and other details about foot and mouth disease are discussed in the rest of the article.
What is Foot and Mouth Disease?
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infectious disease that can be seen in cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic animals (except horses, dogs and cats). Foot and mouth disease is caused by Aphthovirus, which belongs to the Picornaviridae family. There are 7 different types of aphthovirus: type A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3 and Asia; There are more than 60 subspecies. Each species has different characteristics and distribution areas. Therefore, immunity to one species does not provide protection against other species. In other words, different vaccines need to be given against each type. Foot and mouth virus can easily be transmitted to healthy animals through direct inhalation or indirectly by contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus. The main way of transmission of the disease is through inhalation of droplets in the air. In addition, other modes of transmission of foot and mouth disease are as follows:
- The coexistence of healthy animals with infected animals,
- Keeping healthy animals in virus-contaminated facilities or transporting them in contaminated vehicles.
- Contaminated water and feed
In addition to the above, people who care for animals may also come into contact with animals with inadequately sterilized equipment and/or clothing, which may cause the virus to be transmitted to healthy animals. So, can foot and mouth disease be transmitted to humans? Foot and mouth disease is a disease that usually infects animals and can cause death in animals. However, some studies show that the virus can rarely infect children, older people and individuals with weak immune systems.
What are the symptoms of FMD?
Symptoms of foot and mouth disease vary depending on factors such as the type of virus, the breed of the affected animal, the way the virus is transmitted, and the level of exposure to the virus. While the disease is milder in sheep and goats, symptoms may be more pronounced in cattle. The main symptoms of foot and mouth disease are as follows:
- High fever lasting for 2-3 days,
- Vesicular, that is, fluid-filled lesions in the mouth and feet,
- Sores on the tongue, palate and breast,
- increased salivation,
- reluctance to move,
- Lameness,
- Decreased milk production and depression in dairy cows,
- fluffy feathers,
- Increased respiratory rate and/or difficulty breathing,
- Heart disease, especially in young animals
In animals with a strong immune system, symptoms may be milder and usually do not threaten the animal’s life. However, FMD is a disease that has economic effects as well as health aspects. FMD is not limited to the region where it is seen, it has a cross-border effect and negatively affects animal trade. For this reason, it is important that animals with symptoms of foot and mouth disease are checked by a specialist veterinarian without delay, and if necessary, they are treated in a separate place from other animals.
How to Diagnose Foot and Mouth Disease?
Symptoms of foot and mouth disease can be mild or severe depending on factors such as the animal’s sex, age, breed and immunity level. Delayed detection of symptoms may cause death, especially of young animals. Generally, the mortality rate is low in adult animals, however, the risk of death is higher in young calves, lambs and puppies due to the involvement of the virus in the heart. The incubation period after infection with foot-and-mouth disease until symptoms appear varies between 2-14 days. The incubation period reported by the World Organization for Animal Health for foot and mouth disease is 14 days. To diagnose foot-and-mouth disease, the animal is first physically examined by a specialist veterinarian. Increased salivation in the animal and wounds in areas such as the feet, around the mouth, tongue and palate may give physicians an idea about foot-and-mouth disease. In addition, some clinical tests are also used to diagnose foot and mouth disease. The World Organization for Animal Health recommends 4 main diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of foot and mouth disease. These methods are as follows:
- Antigen ELISA (Antigen-antibody relationship) test,
- Virus isolation (obtaining viruses),
- Complement fixation test (Antibody test),
- Nucleic acid identification
The World Organization for Animal Health states that it is important to use serological diagnostic methods (where antigens and antibodies are determined) to indicate specific antibody responses in diagnosing FMD. In other words, a veterinarian’s physical diagnosis of FMD is not sufficient to decide on the appropriate vaccine. In order to decide on the appropriate vaccine, the subtype of the virus must also be determined.
How is Foot and Mouth Disease Treated?
Today, there is no specific treatment method for foot and mouth disease. For this reason, experts state that the disease should be controlled and prevented as a priority. In some cases, treatments can be applied to relieve symptoms related to the disease. However, what is important in controlling the disease is the isolation of infected animals from other animals. However, today there are various vaccines that help prevent foot and mouth disease. In areas where the disease is common, regular vaccination may help prevent the disease. In addition, compliance with hygiene rules is important in preventing the spread of the disease. People who care for animals can help prevent the spread of the disease by regularly sterilizing their clothing, shoes and equipment.
Is Foot and Mouth Disease Transmitted to Humans?
Foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by viruses that occurs in cloven-hoofed animals. So, can foot and mouth disease be transmitted to humans? The answer to this question has been researched by experts for many years. The fact that the viruses that cause foot-and-mouth disease have many subtypes and can easily mutate suggests that the disease may be transmitted to humans over time. However, the rarity of the virus in people in close contact with animals indicates that the risk of foot and mouth disease in humans is low. However, foot and mouth disease may be encountered, although rarely, in people whose immune systems are weak for various reasons, the elderly and children. After people become infected with FMD, the first symptoms usually appear within 2-6 days. The symptoms of foot and mouth disease in humans are similar to those of a cold or flu. The main symptoms can be listed as follows:
- High fever ,
- Sore throat ,
- Blisters around the mouth and on the tongue,
- Numbness , tingling and blisters in the hands
Symptoms of foot and mouth disease in humans are usually mild and disappear on their own within a few days. Research shows that the disease is not transmitted from person to person. However, it can be said that people diagnosed with FMD should avoid close contact with other people because the virus mutates easily.
FAQ: Does foot-and-mouth disease harm humans?
Foot and mouth disease is a problem that is common in some regions and significantly affects both animal health and international animal trade, namely the economy. It is rare for foot and mouth disease to be transmitted to humans. In case of infection with foot and mouth virus for various reasons, the disease symptoms usually heal on their own.
What are the symptoms of foot and mouth disease?
Foot and mouth disease is an infection that manifests itself with wounds around the feet and mouth of animals.
What is foot and mouth disease?
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious form of infection caused by viruses that occurs in cloven-hoofed animals.
How is foot and mouth disease transmitted to humans?
Foot-and-mouth disease can rarely be transmitted to people who are in close contact with animals. Foot and mouth disease is a type of infection whose symptoms appear quickly and can spread rapidly if necessary precautions are not taken. Although foot and mouth disease is rare in humans, it is important to consult the nearest health institution without delay if you have one or more of the symptoms.
