Foot-and-mouth disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock causing fever followed by the development of vesicles (blisters) chiefly in the mouth and on the feet.

FMD is generally not lethal to adult animals, but it can kill young animals and cause serious production losses.

It affects cloven-hoofed animals (those with divided hoofs) including:

• cattle
• buffalo
• camels
• sheep
• goats
• deer
• pigs.

FMD is not considered a risk to public health as infection from animals to humans is extremely rare. FMD should not be confused with the human disease (hand, foot and mouth disease), caused by a different virus which commonly affects young children.

Source: Agriculture Victoria

It is recommended that people who have been in contact with FMD-infected areas DO NOT visit Australian farms or handle livestock for a required time period after returning to Australia. Keep up-to-date with the latest traveller alerts and requirements