Infographic spotlight: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)’s impact—covering visible livestock symptoms, regional economic losses (e.g., US $2.3 billion in Africa), and the disease’s reach in susceptible animals.
The Current Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak: A Global Snapshot
Recent Outbreaks & Responses
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Central Europe: In early 2025, foot-and-mouth disease re-emerged in Hungary—the first outbreak in over 50 years—spreading to multiple farms near the Slovakian border and affecting around 3,500 cattle. Hungary deployed military personnel and set up disinfection checkpoints to contain the spread (Reuters, Wikipedia). Neighboring Slovakia experienced several outbreaks, prompting border closures and emergency sanitary measures. While new infections in Hungary have halted, cleanup remains ongoing (AP News, Wikipedia).
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Germany: A separate FMD case appeared in Brandenburg in January 2025, involving three water buffaloes. Authorities rapidly enforced culling, established protective zones, and imposed transport bans. Although the transport ban was later lifted, surveillance zones remain active (Food Safety, AP News, Financial Times). Consequently, the UK banned German meat and dairy imports, disrupting international supply chains (The Guardian, Financial Times).
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Indonesia: Since December 2024, over 14,630 livestock across 11 provinces have been infected, with 338 dying. The government initiated a mass vaccination campaign with four million doses, prioritizing high-risk areas like Java to build herd immunity (Reuters).
Why It Matters: Impact on Livestock & Agriculture
Animal Health & Productivity
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FMD causes fever and painful blisters on the mouth, hooves, and teats of cloven-hoofed animals (e.g., cattle, pigs, sheep, goats), leaving most animals weakened despite low mortality (WOAH, APHIS).
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Infected livestock show reduced productivity—marked drops in milk yield and meat output severely impair farmer income and food security (FAOHome, WOAH).
Economic Costs
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In regions where FMD is endemic, annual losses—including production losses and vaccination costs—are estimated between USD 6.5 and 21 billion; outbreaks in previously disease-free zones impose additional losses exceeding USD 1.5 billion (WOAH, FAOHome).
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In Africa alone, regional economic losses from disrupted trade and livestock impacts amount to about US $2.3 billion annually .
Trade & Market Disruption
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Countries like Germany lose their "FMD-free" status when outbreaks occur, triggering export bans on meat and dairy, as seen with restrictions imposed by the UK, South Korea, and Mexico (Financial Times, The Guardian, AP News).
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Indonesia’s preventive vaccination efforts show how trade and movement restrictions can strain domestic markets, prompting measures like the importation of breeding stock to stabilize supply (Reuters).
Control & Containment Costs
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Outbreak responses often include mass culling, emergency vaccination, movement restrictions, and sanitary actions. These are costly but essential to stopping disease spread (arXiv, University of Nevada, Reno, NDSU, USDA Apps, DAERA, Food Safety).
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Modeling studies (e.g., in Brazil and Bolivia) show that combining vaccination with depopulation (culling) and rapid response reduces outbreak duration and yields better economic outcomes despite high initial costs (arXiv).
Spotlight: The Indonesia, Europe & Germany Scenarios
Indonesia’s Strategy
By rolling out 4 million vaccine doses, targeting high-risk areas, and importing breeding cattle for national programs, Indonesia exemplifies robust mitigation strategies to curb the outbreak and maintain agricultural productivity (Reuters).
Europe’s Emergency Tactics
Hungary’s deployment of its military and establishment of disinfection checkpoints exemplify swift emergency action required in disease management (Reuters). Simultaneously, Germany faced trade bans and market disruptions, underscoring the interconnectedness of animal health and international commerce (The Guardian, Financial Times).
Farm-Level Takeaways: Biosecurity & Preparedness
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Proactive planning is critical. Regions like Nevada in the U.S. encourage livestock producers to create enhanced biosecurity plans in advance. Those with approved plans can secure movement permits even amid outbreak-related restrictions (University of Nevada, Reno).
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Speed matters. Quick deployment of control actions—such as vaccination rings and controlled culling—reduces transmission and shortens economic recovery time (arXiv).
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Surveillance zones, movement bans, and rapid reporting systems help contain the disease locally and prevent spread across borders (NDSU, DAERA, Food Safety).
Conclusion
Foot-and-mouth disease continues to pose a serious challenge worldwide:
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It undermines animal health, productivity, and livelihoods.
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The economic fallout—through production losses and disrupted trade—can be immense.
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Effective control relies on vaccination, biosecurity, emergency response plans, and international cooperation.
By prioritizing preparedness and rapid containment, agricultural communities and countries can mitigate the devastating effects of FMD outbreaks.
