The virus is resistant to normal environmental conditions and drying. The virus can survive on your dirty shoes for several days. It causes vesicles or blisters on the feet and in the mouth and on the nose. Even after recovery from the initial illness the productivity of the animals does not return to normal and abortions and other losses can continue indefinitely. Cattle, for example, do not return to normal production and would not be economically efficient.
Infected animals shed the virus into the feces, urine, saliva, and by coughing.
The virus spreads extremely rapidly and effectively. It can travel in the air for up to 40 miles over the land and up to 180 miles over water. Infected animals, uncooked meat products fed to swine, aerosol spread, contaminated vehicles, and contaminated shoes and clothing are common methods of FMD spread. The FMD virus is probably the most infectious animal disease that exists. The virus is routinely found in Asia, South America, Africa, and now many parts of Europe.