Foot-and-mouth

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and severe viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids. The disease is caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a member of the Picornaviridae family.

Symptoms

The disease is characterized by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Most affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated, causing severe losses in the production of meat and milk.

Transmission

FMD is spread through direct contact between infected and susceptible animals or through contaminated feed, water, air, or the environment. The virus can also be spread by people, vehicles, and other objects that have been contaminated by the virus.

Prevention and control

Prevention and control of FMD involve the use of vaccines, strict import controls, and measures to ensure the rapid detection and slaughter of infected animals. In non-endemic areas, the strategy is to stamp out the disease by slaughtering all animals on an infected premises.

Impact

FMD has severe implications for animal farming, since it is highly infectious and can be spread by animals in a number of ways. The disease is a major problem in the developing world, where it causes significant economic losses.

See also

• Animal diseases
• Viral diseases
• Picornaviridae

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