Once restrictions have been lifted field operations will be able to resume as normal without the need for any additional delay subject to cleaning and disinfection procedures. All domesticated and wild cloven-hoofed animals may be infected with the virus of foot and mouth disease. The severity of the disease differs with the serotype and strain of virus involved, and the species, sex and age of animal. Some strains are adapted to particular species. The clinical disease is typically very severe in cattle and pigs and mild or inapparent in sheep and goats, but exceptions can occur.
Wild pigs show a similar type of disease to domestic pigs.
Mortality in adults is usually less than 5 per cent. The incubation period for foot and mouth disease depends upon the infective dose. Animals exposed to a high amount of virus typically have an incubation period of 1.5 to 5 days while exposure to a low dose can result in an incubation period of 6 to 14 days. The first was despatched by our mailing house during the week beginning 5 March 2001 and the second during the week beginning 9 April 2001. If any errors in grammar were made it is, of course, a matter of regret since we always strive to ensure high standards both of grammar and of clarity in ministerial correspondence.