David R. Smith, DVM, Ph.D, Extension Beef/ Dairy Veterinarian
What is foot-and-mouth disease?
Foot-and-mouth disease is an extremely contagious viral
disease of cloven-hooved animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep,
and deer. The disease is not commonly fatal, but causes extreme
production losses in affected herds. Clinical signs of the disease
include lameness, excessive salivation, reluctance to eat, abortion
and blister-like erosions on the mouth and feet. Affected animals
are debilitated and may not recover to their original production
levels. The disease has long been recognized as one of the most
economically devastating diseases of livestock.
The virus is easily transmitted through direct contact between
animals or indirectly through the movement of contaminated vehicles,
shoes, clothing, or food. The virus can survive in the environment
for up to a month.
Humans do not get the disease and it does not affect food safety.
The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the United States was in 1929. Since
that time it has remained a foreign animal disease. The disease
occurs regularly in some countries in Africa, the Middle East,
and South America.
Why has foot-and-mouth been in the news recently?
Recently Great Britain has experienced an outbreak of the disease which
has spread to N. Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. Hundreds
of thousands of animals have been destroyed in attempts to control
the outbreak. Outbreaks have also been reported recently
in Argentina, Bangladesh, and The Middle East.
What actions should take place to protect the US cattle herd?
The United States continuously maintains an active program to
prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease to the US cattle herd. These
efforts have been strengthened since the outbreak in Europe.
Travelers returning from countries with foot-and-mouth present a difficult
to control risk for introduction of the virus into the US. Travelers
entering through customs should comply with all requests and
recommendations of USDA officials. Do not try to sneak in meat
or dairy products. Wash all clothes and wipe luggage and shoes
with disinfectant solutions as directed. Travelers or their
pets that have been on farms in countries with the disease should not
visit US farms and ranches for at least one week.
Veterinarians
and cattle producers must remain vigilant for clinical signs
consistent with foot-and-mouth and report any suspicions to USDA veterinarians
immediately.
Websites offering extensive
coverage of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Britain
Back to the top
Websites offering important
information about the disease
Back to the top
Simulated foot-and-mouth outbreak studies
in the United States
Back to the top
