Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs. Cloven-hoofed animals are those with a split toe.  It does not affect horses. (Camelids include alpacas, llamas and camels).

There have been no reported cases of FMD in Australia, however it has been detected in Indonesia, including Bali, and therefore there is an increased risk of an incursion spreading.

It is critical that producers be aware of what Foot and mouth disease looks like and report any signs of the disease observed in their cloven-hoofed animals immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or their local veterinarian.

The signs

Know the signs of Foot and mouth disease (FMD) and what to look out for in your cloven-hoofed animals, and who to contact if you spot anything unusual.

• Cattle, pigs, sheep, buffalo, deer, camelids and goats may show fever, be drooling and will be reluctant to move.

• These animals can suffer from blisters on the mouth, snout, tongue, lips or between and above the hooves on the feet.

• Blisters may be intact or ruptured, exposing raw tissue which is very painful. 

People in northern Australia need to be particularly vigilant. Not only do they need to check their livestock but if signs are seen in feral pigs or water buffalo, immediate action needs to be taken.

Report any signs of the disease observed in your cloven-hoofed animals immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or to your local veterinarian.

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More Information

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