Meat or animal products infected with the virus or raw or improperly cooked food waste containing infected meat or animal products is fed to susceptible animals. Susceptible animals are exposed to contaminated materials such as hay, feed, water, semen or biologics. Canada has been free of Foot and Mouth disease since 1952. Foot and Mouth disease is an extremely serious livestock illness and it is one of the most contagious of animal diseases. The disease also causes severe production losses in domestic livestock.
Canadian animals are highly susceptible.
If an outbreak occurred, the virus could spread rapidly to all parts of the country through routine livestock movements. Unless detected early and eradicated immediately, losses could reach billions of dollars in the first year. Wildlife such as deer, elk and bison could become infected and remain a reservoir for the virus. Foot and Mouth disease can be confused with several other animal illnesses. Vesicles or blisters are the most apparent clinical sign.