MAFF UK department of state NFU Democratic organisation representing farmers and growers in England and Wales. Inland Revenue Help for affected businesses. FMD affects cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. Wild and domestic cloven-hooved animals, hedgehogs and rats are also susceptible. The current outbreak is due to the pan-Asiatic O type.
Human infections are extremely rare.
We know this from the historical evidence, as well as evidence from countries like South Africa where the disease is endemic and where the surveillance systems are reasonably good. Some of the historical cases are without good corroborating evidence. The few affected individuals have usually worked quite closely with animals. The Food Standards Agency has advised that the disease has no implications for the human food chain. There is no evidence that humans can catch the disease by eating meat or drinking pasteurised milk and no records of human to human spread.