What causes foot-and-mouth disease?
A virus, transmitted in air, fluids that leak from diseased blisters, faeces and urine. It can also be carried by dust, vehicles and clothes of people coming into contact with animals. “The virus is highly infectious and expelled in breath,” said Tim Miles, the veterinary manager of the Meat and Livestock Commission. “Where pigs are packed together plumes can form above them, spreading the virus up to 60 kilometres [37.5 miles] downwind.” Pigs are potent excretors of the virus. How dangerous is it? It is not generally lethal to adult animals – the mortality rate is about 1 in 20 animals, though higher in the young. However, it causes fever and painful fluid-filled blisters on the tongue and mouth (making the animal salivate), and blisters on the feet, teats and udder. Milk yields drop significantly, and animals become lame. What animals does it affect? All cloven-hoofed animals – including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camels, alpacas and deer. Horses are not susceptible. How long is the
