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  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Pests, diseases and weeds
  4. Animal pests and diseases
  5. Foot-and-mouth disease

Sidebar first - Pests diseases weeds

  • Animal pests and diseases
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      • A review of Australia's preparedness for the threat of foot-and-mouth disease
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Foot-and-mouth disease

If your livestock are showing signs of foot-and-mouth disease, immediately call the
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888
(free call within Australia)

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a serious and highly contagious animal disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs. Cloven-hoofed animals are those with divided hooves. It does not affect horses or zebras.

FMD is a disease of animals, not humans and is a different disease than Hand, foot, and mouth disease which is common in young children. FMD is not transmitted to humans by eating affected meat.

FMD virus is carried by live animals and in meat and dairy products, as well as in soil, bones, untreated hides, vehicles and equipment used with these animals. It can also be carried on people’s clothing and footwear and survive in frozen, chilled and freeze-dried foods.

Latest on FMD

In May 2022, an outbreak of FMD was reported in cattle in Indonesia and has since spread to Bali. An incursion of the virus would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health and trade.

The emergence and rapid spread of FMD in Indonesia has changed the risk profile for passengers and goods arriving in Australia. As result we have strengthened our border activities and new measures were immediately imposed to help prevent an incursion. A Biosecurity (Foot and Mouth Disease Biosecurity Response Zone) Determination 2022 has also been established to support the strengthened measures in place at the border.

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About FMD and the risk

Learn more about the disease and its potential impact on animals and our economy.

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Action by governments

What we’re doing to prevent and prepare for an incursion.

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Livestock producers

Know the signs of FMD, find out how to protect your animals and prepare your property.

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Travellers

Advice for travellers returning from FMD infected countries.

 

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Mail risks

What to consider when ordering goods online.

 

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Veterinarians

Information for vets including surveillance and reporting.

 

Watch

Foot-and-mouth disease, FMD, is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.

The virus has not been detected in Australia for more than 100 years.

But we should be aware of the risks of FMD arriving on our shores.

FMD can be transmitted in air particles between animals housed closely together.

And it’s easily spread through contaminated feed and water, animal transport vehicles, and equipment, clothing and footwear.

It’s important that livestock industries and animal owners are alert to the symptoms of FMD.

Typical signs in animals are:

  • blisters on the nose, tongue, lips, mouth, between the toes and around hooves
  • fever
  • extreme drooling
  • loss of appetite and weight
  • depression and a drop in milk production.

FMD is a disease of animals, not humans and is a different disease and virus than hand, foot, and mouth disease of children.

To protect Australia’s animal health and trade, we have well-developed disease outbreak procedures in place.

And even though the risk to Australia remains low, our border protection measures are focused on imports of goods from high-risk countries.

We’re also making sure travellers are aware of their biosecurity responsibilities.

If you suspect your animal is showing signs of foot and mouth disease, you must report it.

You can do this by calling the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Media enquiries

For media enquiries visit our News and media centre, email us or phone (61 2) 6272 3232.

FMD resources

Fact sheets, guides and other useful resources

Latest FMD news

Image of two biosecurity officers examining an item in front of a scanner

Industry leaders back biosecurity measures

  • Media release
  • Biosecurity
12 August 2022

Agricultural industry leaders have taken a tour behind the scenes at Sydney International Airport…

Biosecurity dog at an airport

Statement by Secretary and Director of Biosecurity Andrew Metcalfe, to Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee

  • Statement
  • Biosecurity
10 August 2022

Statement by Secretary and Director of Biosecurity Andrew Metcalfe AO, to Senate Rural and…

Decorative image - Scam alert

Be on guard for foot-and-mouth scam emails seeking your confidential information

  • News
  • Foot-and-mouth disease
04 August 2022

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has recently become aware of a fraudulent…

All news and media

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Last updated: 10 August 2022

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.