In parts of Africa, Asia and South America, foot and mouth disease is endemic. Since then the strain has spread rapidly across the world. In the right conditions, particularly when it is cold, the virus can survive on its own for weeks or months. And it s been proven that it can be blown for over a 100 miles on the wind. But the infection is primarily spread when an infected animal comes into contact with healthy ones.
People also help spread the disease by moving infected animals from place to place.
Although humans aren t affected by the disease they can spread it. The boots and clothes of anyone working or walking through an infected area must be decontaminated. But infection drastically reduces milk production in cattle and the animals become weak and prone to a range of other illnesses that make them worthless to the farmer. The disease was kept at bay by strictly controlling the movement of animals and fresh carcasses. Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food UK government foot and mouth disease information.