Although the United States has been free from a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak since 1929, the growth in fast and convenient travel makes this virus a persistent and economic threat to the U.S. livestock industry. Don't bring this devastating virus back with you. Foot and mouth disease is not a threat to humans. In livestock, the disease causes painful blisters and erosions of tissue in the mouth and feet. Feed consumption is reduced because of painful tongue and mouth lesions, and animals become lame.
Abortions often occur.
Although mature animals often recover from the disease, milk production and reproduction may never return to normal in recovered animals. Foot and mouth Disease is the most contagious biological agent known to man. It can travel on the wind for miles. It can travel on clothes, shoes and skin. The virus can survive for up to four days in lungs and nasal passages.