Investigation of Clinical Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle in Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Batiaghata, Khulna, Bangladesh

Abstract

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an epitheliotropic and transboundary viral disease affecting the cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and wild animal for several countries. It is a highly contagious disease that causes severe economic loss in terms of reduced productivity of the affected animals as well as mortality particularly among young animals. Both retrospective and prospective FMD clinical cases were included in this study at Batiaghata, Upazilla Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Khulna during 13 January to 15 March 2015. In addition to FMD cases registered at UVH, cases treated at different household and commercial farms were also included in the study. During this two-month study period, a total of 131 cattle with different diseases or disorders were registered at the UVH for treatment purpose. The proportionate prevalence of FMD in cattle was 16.8%. The proportionate prevalence of FMD at 75% of the unions were 18.2% each. The occurrence of FMD was higher in February (23.3%) than January (13.5%) and March (18.5%). Younger cattle were more commonly affected (59.1%) than older ones. Almost 96% female cattle were affected by FMD. Cattle with poor body condition score had higher FMD cases (77.3%) than cattle with better body condition score. The lactating animals and pregnant animals were more commonly affected (81.8% and 63.6%, respectively). The main clinical signs were high fever (100%), sored foot (72.7%) and sored mouth (63.6%). The category of 16-20 days of illness of FMD was recorded for 36.5% cases. The treatment was given by administration of sulphonamaide or amoxicillin along with other supportive drugs and the recovery rate was 60-80%.