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.

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.