Epperson said there is no hazard to humans eating the products, but the meat or milk products serve as potential vehicles for the spread of the virus to other farms. The primary cost of FMD is poor production in affected animals. However, the painful mouth and foot lesions make eating and walking difficult. This results in a dramatic milk drop and tremendous weight loss in infected animals. If an outbreak occurred in the United States, it could cost billions in containment and eradication, USDA reported.
Antibiotics are of no value for viral diseases.
Vaccines do not provide immunity against all strains, and they do not prevent infection. Vaccination only decreases severity of the clinical signs. The animal symptoms are blister-like lesions of the mouth, inner tissue of the mouth and lips, snout, and tongue, and feet, especially around the coronary band. The blisters rupture and leave an ulcerated depressed area that is susceptible to bacterial infections. In animals the signs include fever, lameness, a tending to want to lie down, shivering, excessive slobbering and smacking of lips, off feed, and the blisters mentioned.