Membership of the WeCAHN expert beef network includes beef cow-calf veterinary practitioners,  laboratory diagnosticians, veterinary college researchers, provincial ministry staff including veterinary epidemiologists, and representatives from the Canadian Cow-Calf Surveillance Health Enhancement and Productivity Network and the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) feedlot program.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Outbreak in Germany, and information for Canadian producers

CFIA: Foot and mouth disease (FMD)

Foot and mouth disease is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine, which also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed ruminants (horses are not affected). Signs of the disease include fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves; many affected animals recover, but are left weakened and debilitated from FMD.

In Canada, FMD is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. All suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA.

Learn more here

Overview of foot and mouth disease

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) provides an overview of foot and mouth disease, including clinical signs and diagnosis, transmission, and prevention strategies.

Learn more here

Overview of the situation in Germany

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) provides updates on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) cases in Germany through its online dashboard.

Visit the WOAH dashboard

Situation report

This preliminary outbreak assessment provides an update on the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Germany, including details on the response measures, trade implications, and potential risks for the UK.

View the full report

WeCAHN Podcast: Foreign animal disease planning and prevention for cattle

Dr. Karin Orsel, a professor in epidemiology and infectious diseases from the University of Calgary, has some up close and personal experience with the impacts of bovine infectious disease outbreaks for some diseases of cattle that currently don’t exist in Canada. These foreign animal diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, are kept out of Canada only by the strength of our farm biosecurity and through the ongoing monitoring and reporting of any signs of concern to veterinary regulators for further investigation. Her experiences highlight the importance of vigilance and traceability in the cattle sector to ensure the health of our cattle and the security of our food systems.

Listen to this episode

WeCAHN Podcast: Outbreak supports network

Dr. Betty Althouse joins us to discuss a new Outbreak Support Network, funded by CWSHIN and working in collaboration with WeCAHN. This network is tasked with helping to ensure clear communications and efficient allocation of resources between producers, veterinarians and regulatory authorities in future disease incidents.

Listen to this episode

Spring 2025: Calving Season Information

Colostrum management for beef calves video

Dr. Claire Windeyer, veterinarian and associate professor in the department of production animal health at the University of Calgary, shares evidenced-based information about managing colostrum for beef calves. This video was produced with the support of BCRC, the University of Calgary, and Ag for Life. 

LINK

Zoonotic disease of cattle podcast

Dr. Sylvia Checkley, veterinarian, epidemiologist and associate professor in ecosystem and public health at the University of Calgary, discusses the diseases of cattle that can be transmitted to people (zoonotic diseases). These should be on the radar for anyone working regularly with cattle or calves - producers and veterinarians alike. This podcast was produced by WeCAHN. 

LINK

Beef cow-calf vaccination planning podcast

Dr. Joyce Van Donkersgoed, a beef veterinarian and epidemiologist, shares recent results from producer and veterinarian surveys regarding beef cattle vaccination. She also provides a number of beef health vaccination planning resources and decision-making tools developed by a research team of cattle experts to support the valid veterinary-client-patient relationship. This podcast was produced by WeCAHN. 

LINK

Research project on bovine anaplasmosis
Project Goals

i. Determine the occurrence of anaplasmosis within beef cattle herds in western Canada.
ii. Survey herd management practices that may affect the risk of anaplasmosis.
iii. Develop a chute-side test that can detect infected cattle quickly.

What we will do

i. Test beef cattle herds, ticks and flies for Anaplasma.
ii. Conduct an online survey to document current cattle husbandry practices.
iii. Use cattle blood to develop a test that detects Anaplasma marginale, but not bacteria that
don’t cause anaplasmosis

Project Outcomes

i. Current representation of risk factors for bovine anaplasmosis, including where anaplasmosis occurs & animal management practices
ii. Quick and simple diagnostic tool to detect animals infected with A. marginale
iii. Development of practical and appropriate methods for preventing the introduction and spread of anaplasmosis in beef cattle herds.
iv. Quick and effective response to infections for improved animal health and welfare.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact
Shaun Dergousoff, project lead
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(shaun.dergousoff@agr.gc.ca)

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