Foot and mouth disease is a viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer. It does not affect humans, nor does it affect the food supply. Fully cooked meats remain safe to eat. The major symptom of foot and mouth disease infection is the production of vesicles or blisters on the mouth, tongue, nose or snout, teats and feet. Other symptoms include drooling and a reluctance to bear weight on their feet.
Diseased animals run fevers, lose their appetites, stop producing milk and become very lame.
Foot and mouth disease can cause death in affected animals, especially newborns. There are several strains of the virus as well as many sub-types so, although vaccines exist, they are not considered an effective remedy. Although the virus can survive outside the body of an animal, it is susceptible to destruction by heat, drying and acids or bases. Wash or dry-clean clothes. Wash tires of vehicles before entering and after leaving animal areas, farms or production facilities.