There is currently an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Indonesia. FMD is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs). FMD virus is carried by live animals, as well as in meat and dairy products, vehicles and equipment, and on clothing and footwear. The disease is endemic in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Europe, North and Central America and Pacific Nations and the Caribbean are FMD free.
The outbreak in Indonesia was first alerted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on the 12th of April 2022. By May 16, there were 16,043 livestock in 60 cities across 15 provinces that were infected. By 6th of July, 332,198 animals had been infected, in 233 cities from 21 provinces. This number included 2,110 dead cattle, 2,897 slaughtered, 114,130 recovered, and 213,061 active cases. Vaccination was implemented to control the spread of FMD, and by the 6th of July, 351,552 animals had been vaccinated.
Indonesia has been free of FMD since 1986. The first case was detected in backyard beef and dairy cattle in 2 provinces on 12th April 2022. While the disease does not infect humans, it has devastating welfare and economic impacts. Livestock are valuable assets in vulnerable communities, and hence FMD outbreaks can have long term detrimental impacts on the quality of life of a community.
The current spread of diseases is at its most dangerous phase, as cattle herds have zero immunity because the country has been free of disease for over 30 years. The current control measures include isolating positive cases and implementing vaccination programs. Vaccination is used to control the spread of disease, as the vaccines are extremely effective in controlling the disease and preventing clinical signs. Once the spread is controlled, the long term plan is to eradicate the disease so that Indonesia can again be declared FMD free, in order to begin trading with FMD free countries again.
In Australia, there is significant concern about possible entry of FMD into the country via a returning traveller from Bali or other areas in Indonesia. Australia has been free from FMD for over 100 years, and an outbreak would have a devastating impact on the Australian livestock industry. The expense of an outbreak is predicted to be up to $80 billion AUD. The outbreak control would be similar to the 2001 outbreak in the UK, where animals were culled in huge numbers to get the disease under control. The 2001 outbreak in the UK led to the slaughter of 6.5 million animals and cost over 8 billion pounds. Not only are livestock infected by FMD, but wildlife can also become infected. If the disease enters wild pig, buffalo or deer populations, then eradication becomes significantly harder.
Further reading areas:
AUSVETPLAN for FMD outbreak in Australia
2001 FMD outbreak in the UK