Countries that report the disease are severely restricted in their ability to export livestock products, resulting in economic devastation for livestock owners. Cases of FMD continue to rise in England, but there have been no confirmed cases in the rest of Europe so far, despite continued widespread testing of potentially infected animals. One of the confirmed outbreaks in England is about 15 miles from Royal Air Force Croughton. Another outbreak is about 20 miles from RAF Fairford. FMD is a highly infectious viral disease of cloven-footed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer and antelope.
Horses are resistant to it but can be carriers of the virus.
FMD is characterized by blistering lesions mostly on the feet, tongue, mouth and teats of infected animals. Most animals survive the disease but never regain the same level of productivity. The virus is highly contagious among livestock and spreads quickly from one animal to another. The wind can carry it up to 30 miles. It is very difficult to control FMD because of the wide range of animals it affects.