It is rarely fatal, except in very young animals. It takes between 24 hours and 10 days for symptoms to show. T he Food Standards Agency says no. It mainly affects cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. Elephants, rats and hedgehogs are also susceptible.
H eat, sunlight and disinfectants destroy the virus.
There is a vaccine but its use is against EU policy. Currently infected herds must be destroyed and affected areas isolated. There is no known cure and a widespread outbreak could cause massive production losses.