This page is maintained with the assistance of Dr Robert Dixon of the University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science. There are 7 serotypes of the virus which can be further subdivided into over 60 subtypes. Of the domestic cloven-hoofed animals, the disease is particularly severe in cattle and pigs but is not fatal in older animals. First indication of the disease in cattle is fever accompanied by depression and a severe milk production drop. This can occur as short as 2-3 days after infection.
Vesicles can develop within a day after the first signs are observed.
These are first observed on the tongue, lips, gum and dental pad. They then appear in the interdigital cleft, coronary bands and heel bulbs and manifest as lameness. Vesicles also appear on the teats. The vesicles rapidly enlarge and generally rupture in 24 hours. In pigs, the lesions tend to be more pronounced on the feet, resulting in acute lameness.