Foot and mouth disease is the most feared disease of livestock in the world. It is feared not because of any threat to human health, but because of its effect on a country s agricultural industry and world trade. Countries that report the disease are severely restricted in their ability to export livestock products. FMD is devastating to the agricultural industry due to its effect on the production of milk and meat. During the long course of the disease the blisters become painful ulcers, and animals stop eating and producing milk.
Most animals survive the disease but never regain the same level of productivity.
This virus is highly contagious among livestock and spreads quickly from one animal to another. It can be transferred from one farm to another on equipment, vehicles, clothing, by pets, wild animals and birds, and may be carried considerable distances by the wind. The disease has a very short incubation period with lesions appearing in less than 48 hours. Because of the wide range of species this disease infects, it is very difficult to control. A policy of quarantine, slaughter and livestock vaccination is the only way to control its spread.