Difference between revisions of "Foot and mouth disease"

Revision as of 19:28, July 19, 2007

Foot-and-mouth disease (Aphtae epizooticae; also hoof-and-mouth disease) is a serious and communicable viral disease that effects mainly cattle and swine, but it has also been found in sheep, goats, and deer.

The United States has not experienced an out break of Foot-and-mouth disease since 1929.

Symptoms of the disease include fever and blister-like lesions followed by erosions on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Most animals will recover from the disease, but the virus usually leaves the animal severely weakened, resulting in a reduction in meat and milk production.

Because it spreads so widely and rapidly, Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the animal maladies that livestock owners dread most.

Source: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahfmd.html