"Farmers are extremely nervous." All your questions about foot and mouth disease, answered.

FMD is a contagious viral disease which impacts livestock - pigs, cattle, sheep and goats - and holds serious consequences for agriculture industries. It commonly spreads from animal to animal and it very rarely can spread to humans as it is a very low-risk disease for humans. 

FMD shouldn't be confused with the human disease that is hand, foot and mouth, which is different. FMD is also not transmitted to humans by eating affected meat.

The 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.

FMD is a disease that Australia has been very fortunate to keep out of the country for quite some time, with the virus not detected in Australia for over 150 years.

What happens to an animal that's been infected with FMD?

Dr Beth Cookson is the Australian Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer based at the Federal Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. 

Speaking to The Quicky she said: "Animals typically when they get FMD will develop blisters around the mouth and on their hooves. It creates a situation where animals don't want to eat, they drool a lot and don't want to stand up. It does become a welfare issue for those animals, and that's why among other reasons for disease control, euthanasia often occurs."

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Where has FMD been detected?

In May 2022, an outbreak of FMD was reported in cattle in Indonesia and it has since spread to Bali. The disease has since reportedly begun to spread through Asia.

Last week, Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt visited Indonesia to gather more information. It comes as Australian travellers return from the holiday destination in droves.

A few days ago, viral fragments of FMD were detected in pork products at a Melbourne retailer. The products, believed to be imported from China, were detected in the Melbourne CBD as part of routine surveillance and were seized and destroyed.

Federal Agriculture Minister Watt said: "This is not the first time in Australian history that we have picked up foot and mouth disease viral fragments in meat products - it's happened a number of other times in airport settings."

At this point, Australia remains free of the diseases as the live virus was not detected, but the findings have highlighted why biosecurity measures are crucial.

Why are farmers worried?

Catherine Marriott is one of many people worried about the prospect of FMD entering Australia. 

Marriott is the CEO of Riverine Plains, an independent farming systems group dedicated to improving the productivity of broad-acre farming systems in north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. She recently posted a viral video about the best way travellers can prevent FMD from entering Australia, in a bid to get the message out to all Australians.

The emotional impact of a Foot and Mouth disease outbreak.

As noted above, the prediction is that an FMD outbreak here would cost the economy over $80 billion. But there would be an emotional impact too. 

After dealing with the mouse plague, bushfires, flooding and COVID, the impact of FMD on farmers' mental health could be devastating too. 

Marriott said she is glad authorities have stepped up, but she fears more needs to be done.

"Imagine the mental load of having to euthanize your entire herd - not only is it your life's work, but it's also the fact that you would be having to euthanize animals that you genuinely care about," she said.

"The message to get out is to implore people that we're all in this together. If I can inspire the broader public - the non-agricultural people - and help them understand why it's really important to keep this disease out and the impact it would have on them - perhaps we have a better chance at keeping it out."

What the government is doing to quash the threat of Foot and Mouth disease.

The measures taken by the Federal Government so far include:

• Assistance offered to Indonesian authorities to combat and contain the outbreak. 
• Import permits have been reviewed for animal products from Indonesia that may carry FMD, and imports of concern have been suspended.
• Awareness campaigns to Australia's livestock producers and agriculture industries, travellers and a range of other stakeholders have commenced. 
• There are now stronger clearance requirements for travellers entering through airports.
• There is increased screening and the implementation of sanitation mats rolled out at international airports. There is also particular attention being given to the Top End.

What travellers coming from Bali can do to help.

Research has found the virus can live and remain infective on a rubber boot sole for 13 weeks - and for leather shoes, it's 11 weeks. That means if you are in Bali on holiday, wearing runners or thongs and happen to step in animal urine or faeces, and wear those shoes back to Australia, you could easily bring the virus with you. 

So what can travellers do?

Dr Cookson told The Quicky that it's key for travellers to wash everything they bring back with them, or at least dispose of any shoes or clothing potentially impacted. 

Travellers must also declare on their Incoming Passenger Card if they have visited a rural area or been in contact with, or near, farm animals. There are of course no penalties for truthfully declaring or disposing of items before undergoing biosecurity screening. Australians should also stay away from livestock for at least a week after their return.

"Any measure that people take to reduce the risk to Australia and rural communities is worth thinking about. FMD is one of the diseases we have been planning on dealing with a potential outbreak for a long time," she said. 

NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders said recently that a vaccine was being developed using mRNA technology to tackle eight different strains of the disease.