Cause and spread
- Cause
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), with several types that do not protect against one another.
- How it spreads
- The virus is in the breath, saliva, milk, urine, dung and blister fluid of infected animals, and spreads by close contact, the air, contaminated feed, vehicles, people and equipment. Some animals shed the virus before they show signs, and some stay carriers.
Signs to watch for
- Fever, dullness and loss of appetite
- Blisters (vesicles) on the tongue, gums, lips, feet and teats that burst into painful sores
- Drooling and smacking of the lips
- Lameness and reluctance to move or stand
- Sudden fall in milk yield
- Deaths in young animals from heart damage; abortions in some species
Many diseases look alike. Only a laboratory test can tell them apart, so please see a veterinarian for any sick animal.
How it is diagnosed
Signs are not enough, because other diseases cause blisters. The virus or its genetic material is looked for in blister fluid or tissue, or in blood or throat fluid when there are no blisters. PCR is widely used.
Prevention and control
- Keep new animals apart (quarantine) before they join the herd
- Follow strict farm biosecurity: limit visitors, vehicles and shared equipment
- Report suspected cases to the animal husbandry department; the disease is controlled by official measures
- Vaccination is used in countries where the disease is common; follow the official vaccination programme
Where this information comes from
- Foot and Mouth Disease (factsheet) · Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University
General information for animal owners and veterinarians, last checked October 2026. It does not replace the advice of your veterinarian, who should decide which tests and treatment your animal needs.