Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the foot-and-mouth virus. The disease occurs in cloven-hoofed animals and spreads through saliva, milk, manure and urine of infected animals. In addition, infection is possible through people, animals and materials that have been in contact with infected animals. On top of that foot and mouth disease is capable of airborne transmission. When foot-and-mouth disease is found, exports are halted and a stamping out protocol is implemented, causing major economic and emotional damage.
Foot-and-mouth disease
With the onset of the disease, the animal starts to develop blisters around the mouth and hoofs. When touching the blisters in the mouth, they de-attach from the underlying tissue. In addition, blisters can be seen on lips, tongue, gums, nose and on the udder (teats). In addition to blisters, animals with foot-and-mouth disease have a fever, reduced feed intake and a sharp drop in milk production. Adult animals generally do not die, however, mortality rates in young stock can be up to 100%.
