**1. Introduction**

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most important viral diseases of large ruminants in India [1]. FMD affects mainly cattle, buffalo and pig population of the country producing severe symptoms. It can also infect sheep, goats and captive and free-range wildlife population [2–5]. The affected large ruminants exhibit high fever, excessive frothy salivation, vesicles in the mouth specially on the tongue, teats and inter-digital space and decrease in milk yield due to reduced feed intake. Apart from vesicular presence on the snout, lameness is a major feature in affected pigs. The disease is caused by the Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) classified in the genus *Aphthovirus* in the family *Picornaviridae*. It is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted mainly by close contact and through aerosols and respiratory

route. It produces higher morbidity percentages in susceptible population of all ages and mortality specially in young calves due to heart affections (tiger heart). The genetic material possessed by FMDV is a ribonucleic acid (RNA). During the FMDV replication, there are chances of generation of newer progeny virus particles.

Presence of FMDV infection in India, dates back to as early as 1864 and thereafter it has been reported from many parts of the country [6]. Out of the known seven FMDV serotypes (O, A, C, Asia1, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3) of FMDV found across the globe, four serotypes viz., O, A, C, and Asia 1 were reported in livestock in India, before 1995 (World Reference Laboratory, (WRL), Pirbright). Type O was reported in 1944, type A in 1959, type C in 1955 and type Asia1 in 1951.

Probably, due to the quadrivalent vaccination against FMD and for unexplained reasons, FMDV serotype C was not recorded in India from 1995 onwards. At present only three serotypes (O, A and Asia1) of FMDV are circulating in livestock population of the country [7]. Inactivated FMDV vaccines are readily available in Indian market to prevent and control FMD [8, 9]. As diagnosis and slaughter policy cannot be practiced in India (due to ethical and socio-economical reasons), routine vaccination is the best way to achieve protective antibody response against FMD in the vaccinated animals. This chapter tries to summarise India's efforts to prevent and control FMD.

#### **2. Livestock census and contribution of livestock in the Indian economy**

For a successful implementation of animal health prevention and control programme, it requires correct and authenticated data on the susceptible livestock population. In India livestock census is conducted periodically after its first beginning in the year 1919 onwards. Recently for its 20th livestock census recording of on-site livestock heads, across 270 million households and households enterprises/ non-households enterprises and institutions (660 thousand villages and 89 thousand urban wards) India adopted collection of the data by using information technology and online transmission of the data through the state National Informatics Centre (NIC). The provisional statistics of the 20th livestock census have been released for the user [10, 11].

These data sets will prove very helpful for authorities of animal health departments to devise further prevention and control strategies at the event of any new outbreak. Although provisional livestock census data only highlight about the population count regardless of its health and vaccination status, it is strongly believed that at this level of counting of the livestock, the status of vaccination for individual animal also needed to be recorded at that time and data must have been released publicly. This will not only help to know about the exact health status of the livestock population in respect to vaccination but also cross-check the number of vaccinated animals claimed by authorities [12] (**Table 1**, **Figure 1**). So, technology driven livestock census and collection of correct data on livestock will help in implementation and follow up of any livestock disease control programme in India and ultimately leading to reduction in economic impacts of the disease [13].

Internationally, India ranks first in production of milk. India produced 1,76,347.35 thousand tonnes of milk, 7,655.61 thousand tonnes of meat and 41,462.72 thousand kilogrammes of wool in the year 2017–2018 [14]. The livestock sector provided and continues to provide an additional income source to many of the farming communities in India involved in the agriculture sector. It earns foreign currency by exporting livestock products.

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**Table 1.**

**Figure 1.**

*Foot-and-Mouth Disease in India: Past, Present and Future Outlook - A Review*

**Kind of animal Population (million) Change Susceptibility to FMD** Cattle 192.49 (+)00.80% Highly susceptible Goat 148.88 (+)10.10% Susceptible Buffalo 109.85 (+)01.10% Highly susceptible Sheep 074.26 (+)14.10% Susceptible Pigs 009.06 (−)12.03% Highly susceptible Mithun 000.38 (+)26.66% Susceptible Horses and ponies 000.34 (−)45.58% Not susceptible Camels 000.25 (−)37.05% Not susceptible Donkeys 000.12 (−)61.23% Not susceptible Mules 000.08 (−)57.09% Not susceptible Yak 000.058 (−)24.67% Susceptible

**3. Literacy and its impact in the epidemiology of FMD in India**

*Cow exhibiting clinical signs of FMD. (A) Drooling of saliva; (B) Tongue lesions.*

disease and formulation of better prevention and control strategies.

**4. Foot-and-mouth disease control programme in India**

As per the population census in 2011, the literacy rate of India is 74.0% (females: 65.5% and males: 82.1%). Though gap in literacy rate is heading downwards from 21.6% in 2001 to 16.6% in 2011, there are larger variations in literacy rates in males and females among various states [15]. Illiteracy is also one of the impeding factors for personnel in livestock sector to be informed about the various activities undertaken by the central and state agencies and act upon in the event of the outbreak of the disease [16]. Though, India is implementing various educational schemes (Education to all), it is hoped that the next census will reflect improvement in literacy rates. It will help the country in respect to spreading awareness about the

Due to heavy morbidity in susceptible livestock population and negative social

and economic impact of the Foot-and-mouth disease, Indian government has started progressive control pathway for FMD according to the protocols given by

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93348*

*Susceptible livestock population to FMD in India.*

*Foot-and-Mouth Disease in India: Past, Present and Future Outlook - A Review DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93348*


#### **Table 1.**

*Some RNA Viruses*

particles.

control FMD.

released for the user [10, 11].

route. It produces higher morbidity percentages in susceptible population of all ages and mortality specially in young calves due to heart affections (tiger heart). The genetic material possessed by FMDV is a ribonucleic acid (RNA). During the FMDV replication, there are chances of generation of newer progeny virus

in 1944, type A in 1959, type C in 1955 and type Asia1 in 1951.

Presence of FMDV infection in India, dates back to as early as 1864 and thereafter it has been reported from many parts of the country [6]. Out of the known seven FMDV serotypes (O, A, C, Asia1, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3) of FMDV found across the globe, four serotypes viz., O, A, C, and Asia 1 were reported in livestock in India, before 1995 (World Reference Laboratory, (WRL), Pirbright). Type O was reported

Probably, due to the quadrivalent vaccination against FMD and for unexplained reasons, FMDV serotype C was not recorded in India from 1995 onwards. At present only three serotypes (O, A and Asia1) of FMDV are circulating in livestock population of the country [7]. Inactivated FMDV vaccines are readily available in Indian market to prevent and control FMD [8, 9]. As diagnosis and slaughter policy cannot be practiced in India (due to ethical and socio-economical reasons), routine vaccination is the best way to achieve protective antibody response against FMD in the vaccinated animals. This chapter tries to summarise India's efforts to prevent and

**2. Livestock census and contribution of livestock in the Indian economy**

These data sets will prove very helpful for authorities of animal health departments to devise further prevention and control strategies at the event of any new outbreak. Although provisional livestock census data only highlight about the population count regardless of its health and vaccination status, it is strongly believed that at this level of counting of the livestock, the status of vaccination for individual animal also needed to be recorded at that time and data must have been released publicly. This will not only help to know about the exact health status of the livestock population in respect to vaccination but also cross-check the number of vaccinated animals claimed by authorities [12] (**Table 1**, **Figure 1**). So, technology driven livestock census and collection of correct data on livestock will help in implementation and follow up of any livestock disease control programme in India and ultimately leading to reduction in economic impacts of

Internationally, India ranks first in production of milk. India produced 1,76,347.35 thousand tonnes of milk, 7,655.61 thousand tonnes of meat and 41,462.72 thousand kilogrammes of wool in the year 2017–2018 [14]. The livestock sector provided and continues to provide an additional income source to many of the farming communities in India involved in the agriculture sector. It earns foreign currency by exporting

For a successful implementation of animal health prevention and control programme, it requires correct and authenticated data on the susceptible livestock population. In India livestock census is conducted periodically after its first beginning in the year 1919 onwards. Recently for its 20th livestock census recording of on-site livestock heads, across 270 million households and households enterprises/ non-households enterprises and institutions (660 thousand villages and 89 thousand urban wards) India adopted collection of the data by using information technology and online transmission of the data through the state National Informatics Centre (NIC). The provisional statistics of the 20th livestock census have been

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the disease [13].

livestock products.

*Susceptible livestock population to FMD in India.*

**Figure 1.** *Cow exhibiting clinical signs of FMD. (A) Drooling of saliva; (B) Tongue lesions.*
