The vesicles rapidly enlarge and generally rupture in 24 hours. In pigs, the lesions tend to be more pronounced on the feet, resulting in acute lameness. Vesicles are found on the snout, but vesicles on the tongue are not common, tend to be small and quickly heal. The pig is important in the spread of the infection. Numerous outbreaks have been attributed to the initial feeding of contaminated or infected material to pigs.
Pigs then amplify the infection to levels where it easily infects other susceptible species.
The Times Newspaper. Real Audio files are included on the site. To listen to these files you will need to have RealPlayer loaded onto your computer. Includes information on aetiology, natural hosts, world distribution, occurrences in Australia, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, differential diagnosis, laboratory diagnostic specimens and laboratory procedures. It also links to a map showing the spread of Pan-Asian Foot and Mouth Disease.