Just the Facts

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and deer is characterized by symptoms like fever and blister-like lesions, followed by erosions on the tongue and lips, on the teats, and between the hooves. Although the disease does not usually kill the animal, the painful blisters discourage it from eating, resulting in weight loss and less milk production in cows.

FMD is caused by a virus that lives in lymph nodes and bone marrow at neutral pH but is destroyed when the pH is less than 6 after the carcass enters rigor mortis. Very high heat can destroy the virus as well, although burning carcasses that have not reached a high enough temperature to kill the virus may actually spread the disease. The virus can live in hair, on any surface and in the nasal passages and literally be sneezed into surrounding areas.

The Difference Between Foot-and-Mouth and Hoof-and-Mouth Disease

The term "hoof-and-mouth" disease originated in North America, referring to foot-and-mouth disease. The hoof is a protective covering of the end of the digits on the feet of both cloven-hoofed animals and hoofed animals (like horses). Foot-and-mouth disease does not infect the hooves, but rather the tissues close to them, causing loosening of the hoof from the surrounding tissue. The hoof itself consists of dead material and so cannot become infected with the virus. Note also that horses, which are hoofed animals, do not contract the disease.

Symptoms of FMD

Foot-and-mouth disease is diagnosable ONLY through a chemical test at special laboratories. However, animals exhibit some initial symptoms when they first contract the disease. An infected animal will first run a fever for about 2 to 3 days. At the same time, blisters will appear on the mouth, feet, or teats that discharge a clear or cloudy fluid and leave raw, eroded areas surrounded by ragged fragments of loose tissue. Because of the blisters in the mouth, the animal will often salivate excessively, leaving foamy and stringy saliva on the ground. Because this disease resembles several other animal diseases, it is imperative that you call the State Vet immediately if any of your livestock is exhibiting these signs. FMD does not affect horses or chickens.

Contagion Factor

Unlike Mad Cow Disease and E. coli, FMD rarely affects humans. Although people can carry the disease on their bodies, in their nasal passages or on anything that has touched the ground like bicycles or car tires, they usually do not show symptoms. However, the disease can spread up to 40-60 miles airborne, making it an economic threat to a livestock producer if nearby people or animals have been in contact with the virus.

The virus can live in the nasal passages up to 36 hours and in the environment for 10-12 weeks. Sausage from an infected pig can carry the virus for 2 months and bacon can hold it for 6 months.

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