Symptoms include fever followed by the development of blisters chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. It affects cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, wild and domestic cloven hooved animals and spreads rapidly, if uncontrolled. The virus is present in large quantities in the fluid from the blisters. It can also occur in saliva, exhaled air, milk and dung. Animals pick up the virus either by direct or indirect contact with an infected animal, or by contact with contaminated foodstuffs, materials or vehicles.
Indirect contact includes airborne contact with infected feedstuffs and other items.
Lies down frequently and is very unwilling to rise Blisters may be found on the hoof where the hoof joins the skin, when they burst the horn is separated from the tissue underneath. Blisters in the mouth are not always apparent but, when they do develop, form on the dental pad and sometimes the tongue. The early reporting of any suspicion of disease is vital. All farmers should carefully inspect all stock at least once a day. Look out for any of the signs described, particularly for blisters or sores on the mouth and feet of any animal.