If an outbreak occurred in the U.S., this disease could spread rapidly to all sections of the country by routine livestock movements unless it was detected early and eradicated immediately. Livestock producers are key to early detection and eradication. The Arkansas livestock industry is a major economic contributor to the state s economy. These do not include farms raising other hoofed animals like llamas, deer, elk, bison, etc. Nationwide, the animal livestock sector contributes tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy.
Exports are also significant.
These numbers do not include exports of hides and skins, livestock genetics, and other products. If the U.S. were to face a severe outbreak of FMD, the costs of eradication and losses to the livestock industry would total billions of dollars. The best way to lessen these costs is through early detection and eradication. The disease is caused by a virus that can persist in contaminated fodder and the environment for up to one month, depending on the temperature and pH conditions. There are at least seven separate types and many subtypes of the FMD virus.