While the disease is not considered to be a threat to humans, it's possible for a person to spread the virus to susceptible animals. The disease also can be spread when susceptible animals come into contact with feed, feeding utensils, vehicles, clothing, or holding facilities that have been contaminated with the virus. The FMD virus also can be carried in raw meat, animal products or milk from FMD-exposed or infected animals. The FMD outbreak in South Africa was started after wastefood containing raw meat scraps was collected from international ships and fed to swine. Economic Impact of FMD A single case of FMD would every segment of the U.S.' multi-billion dollar animal and animal product export market.
Consumers can lose confidence in the safety of meat food products.
Prohibitions would be placed on the sale and international shipment of animals and animal products. Eradication costs are very high. All animals exposed to the virus must be destroyed to prevent the spread of disease. Vaccines provide only temporary protection and revaccination is needed at six-month intervals. Vaccine use is limited to outbreaks only, and vaccinated animals must be slaughtered before international trade can be resumed.