There are seven main types of virus, which produce similar symptoms and which can only be identified in the laboratory. The disease can be spread by direct or indirect contact with infected animals.
Infected animals begin by excreting the virus a few days before signs of the disease develop.
Pigs in particular produce large numbers of virus particles. The disease is also spread mechanically by the movement of animals, persons, vehicles, etc., which have been contaminated by the virus. Meat from the carcass of animals infected with FMD at the time of slaughter can transmit the virus. FMD is endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America, with sporadic outbreaks in disease-free areas. Countries affected by FMD in the past 12 months include Bhutan, Brazil, Columbia, Egypt, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Malawi, Malaysia, Mongolia, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, Taipei, Tajikistan, Uruguay and Zambia.