Science and Medicine

Foot-and-mouth disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), also known as hoof-and-mouth disease (HMD), is a viral infection that primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and other even-toed ungulates. Its result in fever lasting two to three days, blisters inside the mouth and near the hoof that rupture and make walking difficult. Onset is two days to two weeks after exposure. Other complications may include decreased milk output, miscarriage, and poor weight gain. While death is uncommon in adults, it can occur in 25% of young animals in certain species. It is due to seven types of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The virus is highly infectious and can spread through contact with contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing, animal feed, and pets. It can also spread through the air. Animals may be infectious before symptoms develop. More than 70 types of animals are susceptible to various degrees; though not horses. Certain animals, particularly cattle, may continue to carry and spread the virus for years after recovery. Humans may also carry the virus for a couple of days and rarely develop mild symptoms. Diagnosis is suspected based on symptom and confirmed by testing, including ELISA and PCR. Efforts to contain the disease includes surveillance, vaccination, limiting animal movement, trade restrictions in animal products, and killing infected or potentially infected animals. The antiviral, ribavirin, may also be used to control spread. The vaccine used needs to be specific to the type of virus circulating and the protection of vaccination only last four to six months. Once vaccinated, certain methods of diagnosis become inaccurate. Once infected, there is no specific cure; thought secondary bacterial infections may be treated. FMD often occur in outbreaks. It occurs regularly in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and less commonly in South America. Other areas such as Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Australia are free of the disease. The disease was first described in 1514 in Venice. Cases in United States were described in 1870, and determined to be from a virus in 1898. It has severe implications and costs for animal farming. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), is a different viral infection, that affects people.

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See also

• ▸1978 smallpox outbreak in the United Kingdom
• ▸Culture of Asia
• ▸Helene Bresslau Schweitzer

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