How Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spreads

FMD is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals. Understanding spread routes helps farmers choose the right controls—without panic or guesswork.

Common spread routes

• Direct animal-to-animal contact (especially at auctions, shows, shared grazing).
• Indirect contact via people, clothing, boots, and equipment.
• Vehicles and loading ramps moving between farms.
• Contaminated pens, feed areas, and water points.
• Movement of animals before symptoms are obvious.

Practical farm controls that help

• Limit unnecessary movements during high-risk periods.
• Clean and disinfect loading areas and shared equipment.
• Keep visitor logs and require clean boots/clothing.
• Separate new arrivals and monitor before mixing.
• Keep movement records up to date—digital is faster and more reliable.

How traceability improves response

When an outbreak occurs, accurate movement histories help responders focus on the most likely contacts first.

For context and implications: FMD in South Africa.

Get involved

If you are a producer, industry body, abattoir, auction, or exporter who wants practical traceability that respects farmers and works in the real world, we’d like to hear from you.