A REPORT ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE COMPARING ITS MEDICINAL TREATMENT WITH SERUM THERAPY AT RANGUNIA IN CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH

Abstract

There are so many viral diseases that causes economic loss in livestock production. Among them, Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is considered to be the most economically devastating disease which affects cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and wild animals of several countries. It is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that results in significant economic loss regarding reduced productivity of the affected animals as well as mortality specifically among young animals. Both retrospective and prospective clinical cases of FMD were included in the present study at Rangunia in Chattogram from 1st February to 31st April in 2021. During this three-month study period, a total of 145 FMD infected animals (Cattle and Gayal) were registered at the Upazilla Veterinary Hospital (UVH) where two treatment protocols were practiced including treatment with medicine and serum therapy with a view to comparing the efficacy the given treatment against FMD cases. Among the infected animals, 38.6% was cattle and 61.4% was Gayal. Almost 66.2% affected animals were crossbreds. The occurrence of FMD was higher in January (68.3%) than February (26.2%) and March (10%). Almost 43.4% female animals (Cattle & Gayal) were affected by FMD. The lactating animals and pregnant animals were more commonly affected (81.8% and 63.6%, respectively). Common clinical signs of FMD were high fever (100%), sore foot (72.7%) and sore mouth (63.6%). About 11.7% affected animals were treated with serum and 88.3% were treated with medicine. Serum was obtained from two FMD recovered Gayal. Medicines usually used were mainly antibiotic, antiviral drug, anti-inflammatory drug and antiseptics. The recovery rate was 2% higher in serum therapy and required less time than those animals treated with medicine.