The foot and mouth disease virus affects susceptible animals which include cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, wild boar, deer, and certain zoo animals but not horses, dogs and cats or poultry. It is highly infectious. The virus can be carried to animals by people, vehicles and non-susceptible animals. Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly infectious disease for susceptible animals, but human health is not at risk. The people most at risk of spreading disease are those who come into close contact with susceptible live stock in the course of their work - farmers, stockmen, livestock dealers and hauliers, vets and the like.
Separate guidance is available for such people.
For the general public, the main risk of spreading the disease to other animals arise from having contact with an infected animal, infected land or buildings, and then transferring the virus on their hands, clothing and especially footwear direct to another animal. If people have animal dung on their footwear they should clean and disinfect them as soon as possible. The virus is sensitive to heat, and disinfectants, but it can remain active for some time on clothing or dried mud or dung on shoes and vehicles. These risks are greatest in the areas around premises where foot and mouth disease is known to have occurred - the so called infected areas. Unfortunately, the widespread movement of animals before Foot and Mouth Disease was first recognised means that we cannot yet assume the disease is not present in any part of the country.