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Hoof and Mouth Disease

Hoof and mouth disease, also known as foot and mouth disease, is a highly contagious virus. Humans are rarely infected. Cattle, goats, swine, sheep, and deer are highly susceptible to the hoof and mouth virus.

  1. Identification

    • Hoof and mouth disease symptoms include blisters or lesions in the mouth and on the hooves. Infected animals stop eating and develop a fever of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Effects

    • Close to 100 percent of infected animals will die from the virus. Animals that recover remain carriers of the hoof and mouth virus for approximately six months.

    Features

    • The virus can attach itself to hair, clothing, shoes, food containers, car tires or any physical object.

    Significance

    • The virus can live for 12 weeks on a surface. The virus can travel up to 150 miles in the wind.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Hoof and mouth virus is one of the diseases that United States Customs is trying to prevent by its rules preventing foodstuffs from entering the country.

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