A highly communicable viral disease of cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and deer that has caused great economic damage to agricultural and livestock operations throughout the world.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurs in hooved animals and is characterized by blisterlike lesions around their mouths and hooves, which cause slobbering and lameness. Most adult animals recover but are left severely debilitated; having had the virus reduces their ability to produce milk and high-quality meat and leaves them commercially worthless. People who have had contact with infected animals or animal products can spread the disease through their equipment and clothing, and some studies have even shown that the virus can drift up to 40 miles on the wind. To contain the disease, exposed animals are typically destroyed; livestock markets and dairies are closed; premises and equipment are disinfected; and the transportation of livestock and livestock products is halted. A vaccine is also available.
One of the largest outbreaks of FMD in the United States occurred in California in early 1924. By the time the outbreak was eradicated in the summer of 1925,17 California counties had been quarantined and more than 100,000 domestic animals destroyed. Moreover, 36 states, the territory of Hawaii, and several foreign countries placed embargoes against Californian goods. Ultimately, eradicating the outbreak cost the federal and state governments more than $6 million, not including the indirect losses to Californian businesses.
FMD has not occurred in the United States since 1929. However, when the disease broke out in Mexico in 1946, many people feared it might cross the border and infect American livestock. Thus, America and Mexico created a joint commission that eliminated the outbreak in 1951. FMD is currently widespread in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. In places where the disease is rare, tough import restrictions, mandatory quarantines, and effective inspection of livestock have prevented the disease from spreading.
