Foot and Mouth Disease

FMD virus takes about 2 to 12 days to incubate and signs develop about 3 to 5 days after.  It is transmitted in multiple ways, both directly and indirectly.  Most cases are transmitted directly (about 95%).  Indirectly, animals can be infected through infected animal products, such as meat, semen, milk and ova.  Since it can survive in glands and bone marrow for longer amounts of time, meat and bone meal being used as a feed can be a source of FMD.  Contaminated fomites, such as machinery and vehicles can bring FMD into new areas indirectly.  Other animals can transport the disease such as humans under their fingernails or on clothes or their boots.  Some animal species will carry bones off to new locations and bring the disease in that way.  Bovines are very susceptible to aerosol transmission, which is produced by respiratory and digestive tract expulsions.  Some animals are carriers of the disease, but do not show clinical signs and pass the disease on to susceptible animals.

 

Although thought to be similar, FMD is not the same as hand foot-and-mouth disease, so people should not be concerned.

 

 Species Affected

Cloven-hoofed animals are mostly affected.  Some species known to have had FMD are cattle, water buffalo, bison, sheep, pigs, goats, bison, other bovids, antelope, deer, impalas, hedgehogs and elephants.  Llamas and alpacas have developed mild symptoms, but no signs of full disease.