It is not a risk to human health. FMD is a reportable disease in the Health of Animals Act. Any suspect case must be immediately reported to a CFIA veterinarian.
Specific measures are in place to control and eliminate the disease if needed.
The disease has not been found in Canada for almost fifty years. There was a FMD outbreak in Europe in early 2001. The virus is easily spread by people, animals, objects and equipment. This makes it necessary for Canadians to be extremely alert and take steps to keep the virus out of the country. Federal and provincial governments are working together to monitor the situation and keep people informed.