Animals carrying the virus are introduced into susceptible herds. Contaminated facilities and vehicles are used to hold and move susceptible animals. 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. 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. Vesicles or blisters are the most apparent clinical sign. The blisters occur on the nose, tongue, lips, between the toes, above the hooves and on the teats.