How It Spreads FMD viruses can be spread by animals, people, or materials that bring the virus into physical contact with susceptible animals. Animals carrying the virus are introduced into susceptible herds. Contaminated facilities are used to hold susceptible animals. Raw or improperly cooked garbage containing infected meat or animal products is fed to susceptible animals. Susceptible animals are exposed to materials such as hay feedstuffs, hides, or biologics contaminated with the virus.
Susceptible animals drink common source contaminated water.
A susceptible cow is inseminated by semen from an infected bull. Often blisters may not be observed because they easily rupture, leading to erosions. Ruptured vesicles discharge either clear or cloudy fluid and leave raw, eroded areas surrounded by ragged fragments of loose tissue. Sticky foamy, stringy saliva is produced. Consumption of feed is reduced because of painful tongue and mouth lesions.