The highly infectious nature of this agent and the fact that all species shed virus for considerable lengths of time prior to the development of clinical signs results in two dangerous situations. Secondly if the response does not include effective pre-emptive slaughter, that is the killing of animals prior to the development of clinical disease, you are unlikely to be able to control the outbreak. Canada has had significant experience in controlling tuberculosis and brucellosis of cattle. Both of these diseases are poorly infective compared to FMD or hog cholera. Response to foreign animal disease is important to minimizing the risk to our production systems.
Prevention is by far the most economical risk management choice.