Hoof and Mouth Disease

Drexel Titus

May 16, 2001

A.K.A Foot and Mouth Disease

• Caused by a virus that has a remarkable capacity to survive on dead things

• First outbreak in U.S. Occurred in 1870

• Attacks cattle, sheep, hogs, and other animals with cloven hoofs

Symptoms

– Fever

– Smacking of the lips

– Drooling

– Low energy

– Stiffness

– Blister in the mouth and on the feet

– Ulcers after the blisters break

– Hooves may separate

– Could kill some animals

How It Spreads

• People wearing contaminated clothing

• Other animals

• Contaminated facilities

• Raw or improperly cooked garbage containing affected meat or animal products is fed

How It Spreads Continued

• Material such as hay, foodstuffs, hides or biologics contaminated with the virus

• Contaminated water

• Inseminated by an affected bull

Measures of Control

• If an outbreak occurs, the federal and state authorities quarantine the area

• They kill the infected animal and bury them in quicklime

• They disinfect the area and food and clothing

Disease is still Around

• So far, there are 1,544 cases in the United Kingdom

• 3 in Northern Ireland• 25 in the Netherlands• 2 in France• 1 in Ireland

Where are the current outbreaks?

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Prevention and Control

• A single infected animal or one contaminated sausage could carry the virus to American Livestock

• If an outbreak occurred it would spread very rapidly because out animals have no immunity

FMD in America

• If FMD was to spread unchecked, the economic impact could reach billions of dollars in the first year.

• Wildlife would remain a reservoir for the virus

What You Can Do

• Watching for slobbering, lameness, and other signs of FMD in your herd

• Immediately report any unusual or suspicious signs of disease to your veterinarian or other agricultural official

• Both early recognition and prompt notification for eradication to be carried out successfully

Computerized image of FMD

Resources

• The USDA Internet Site

• Encyclopedia Britannica Volume F

• Funk and Wagnall's Internet Site

Thank You for Your Attention