There are 7 main types of virus, which produce similar symptoms and which can only be differentiated in the laboratory. Cattle, sheep, pigs and goats are susceptible as well as some wild animals such as rats, deer and zoo animals including elephants. PIGS - Fever, lameness, dullness, off feed.
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. Airborne spread of the disease takes place readily. The prevailing meteorological conditions and local topography determine the distance that the disease can travel and this may be considerable. The disease is also spread mechanically by the movement of animals, persons, vehicles and other things, 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.