Warning from expert: Foot and Mouth Disease alert for rapidly spreading Foot and Mouth Disease in animals

Foot and mouth disease alarm has been issued in many regions of Türkiye, especially in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Microbiologist from Altınbaş University Dr. Lecturer. Prof. Dr. İpek ADA, Microbiologist from Altınbaş University, stated that foot-and-mouth disease is both a concern for public health and can cause serious economic losses and added the following: "Foot and mouth disease, which is transmitted especially from cattle and spreads extremely rapidly, is an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus called Apthovirus. This virus, which can be seen in cattle, sheep, goats, shoulder and wild two-hoofed animals, is transmitted primarily through the consumption of meat and meat products, milk and dairy products of these infected animals, through breathing the same ambient air with these infected animals, through contact with the injured skin area of the infected animal, and through animal products (such as animal skin). Although the reason for the increase is not yet known, the number of cases of foot-and-mouth disease in our country in recent weeks is alarming. This situation will affect both human and animal health epidemiologically by affecting the spread of the infection and will cause serious damage to the country's economy by causing cattle losses." 

Beware if your cattle have these symptoms

Microbiologist İpek ADA stated that foot-and-mouth disease can also spread to humans, but it mostly affects livestock, "Those who deal with livestock should routinely check all their animals every day, and if there is a slowdown in the animal's movements and drowsiness, loss of appetite, water-filled blisters and wounds in the mouth, teats and feet, it should be known that there may be a risk for foot-and-mouth disease. In this case, the animal should be quarantined immediately and the veterinarian should be informed." 

Possible ways to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease

Microbiologist ADA stated that microbiologists, veterinarians, cattle breeders, as well as a conscious society have a great role in infection control measures in the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease, "Foot-and-mouth disease may increase due to factors such as the decrease in vaccination rates, uncontrolled animal crossing from border regions, lack of hygiene and non-compliance with quarantine rules, seasonal animal mobility. In this sense, it is very important to first raise awareness of people engaged in animal husbandry about the symptoms and prevention methods of infections that can be seen in animals and transmitted to humans. This is because the person who is engaged in animal husbandry should inform the nearest veterinarian about the signs of the disease, which we call symptoms, in the animal during routine controls. After the veterinarian performs a general routine examination of the animal and controls animal movements, laboratory analyzes are needed for definitive diagnosis by taking the relevant microbiological samples. In this direction, the importance of early diagnosis and treatment is undeniable. 

The condition of the quarantined and treated animal should be monitored. Meat and meat products, milk and dairy products should never be consumed and contact with the animal should be avoided at this stage or after the death of the animal. Effective disinfection of the quarantine environment or the area where the animal was buried is also important for the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to other animals or humans. On the other hand, these animals must be vaccinated twice a year by veterinarians to protect them from foot and mouth disease. In addition, the public should be made aware that attention should always be paid to the consumption of well-cooked meat and dairy products not only for foot-and-mouth disease but also against other possible zoonosis (infection transmitted from animals) diseases."