Foot and Mouth Disease
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Aphthae epizooticae , is a highly infectious and sometimes deadly virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including pigs, cattle, and sheep. FMD causes fever, blisters, and lameness in affected animals. During outbreaks, millions of animals can be culled, resulting in large economic losses.
Pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, water buffalo, antelope, deer, and bison are affected by FMD.
Foot and mouth disease is highly infectious and spreads quickly in farm settings. Containment efforts include (1) vaccination, (2) monitoring, (3) quarantines, (4) culling animals, and (5) trade restrictions.