Protecting our industry from foot and mouth disease

Posted on Monday, 18 July 2022

You may be aware of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Indonesia. While the risk to New Zealand is still considered low, it’s a good reminder to review some of your on-farm practices.

It’s important to remember that anyone who has been in an affected area in the last 7 days should not come on your farm.

Symptoms of FMD
  • Cattle: excessive drooling, smacking the lips, shivering, depression/dullness, reluctance to eat and walk, sudden drop in milk yield, blisters in the mouth and between hooves.
  • Sheep: symptoms are more subtle and include mild to moderate lameness, tendency to lie down and stop grazing, blisters between the hooves and in the mouth.
  • Pigs: sudden lameness and tendency to lie down, loss of appetite, blisters on snout and hooves.

If you spot suspicious symptoms, contact your vet or 0800 80 99 66 without delay.

Resources to help you
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