What is foot and mouth disease?
The disease and it’s transmission is caused by picornavirus, of which there are seven main types already identified and various sub-strains. It is in the nature of viruses to mutate so as to survive in the environment in which they find themselves. Being a ‘moving target’ is just one reason why a vaccination policy is of dubious merit.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer. Other animals such as elephants, hedgehogs and rats are also susceptible to infection. Foot and Mouth Disease is not a human affliction. The disease causes blisters which produces chronic lameness, weight loss, and decreased production, and can bring about abortions and sterility. It is very common for these blisters to appear on the tongue and inside of the mouth, inside the nostrils, on the coronary band, teats, udder, snout of pigs and area between the toes. The incubation period for foot and mouth is 2 to 16 days. Foot and mouth is rarely fatal, except in young animals.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most infectious diseases occurring in mammals. Typically it causes sores in the mouth and on the feet of infected animals. Other symptoms include fever, lack of appetite and lameness. It affects a variety of animals including cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. It also affects some wild animals, such as hedgehogs and deer, and zoo animals such as elephants. The disease has been around for centuries.
