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Hoof and Mouth Disease Guidelines - Facts Every Equestrian Should Know |
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Geographical Location of the Disease
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect all cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, water buffalo, deer, bison, antelope, reindeer, llamas, chamois, alpacas, vicunas, giraffes, elephants, elk, camels). Horses/Ponies cannot catch Foot & Mouth but can carry the virus on hair, hooves, tack etc. Hence restrictions on their movement.
It is often necessary to conduct wholesale slaughter of animals wherever there is an outbreak. Animals from an area not declared free of the disease may not be moved to other locations or used in trade except as processed food subjected to high temperatures.
Geographical Location of the Disease
There have been recent Foot and Mouth outbreaks in the following countries: Africa (Swaziland), Greece, Middle East (Israel), Asia, South America (Brazil, Uruguay).
Foot and Mouth disease is characterized by the formation of fluid filled blisters that quickly grow to about 3 cm in diameter. They are seen in the mouth, nose, teats and feet. The blisters usually burst leaving a raw surface, they heal after a few days.
Foot and Mouth disease infects animals via inhalation, ingestion and through reproduction. The most common way the disease is transmitted is by direct contact. The disease can be carried by the wind.
Movement of infected animals is the most important method of spread between herds. Other sources of infection include contaminated vehicles, equipment, people and products.
The highest risk of entry of Foot and Mouth is through imports of susceptible live animals, contaminated meat or dairy products from infected countries.
The disease can be controlled by putting infected areas into quarantine, restricting movement
Inactivated vaccines have been successfully used in many parts of the world. Vaccinated animals are protected against the disease but not totally resistant and can still become infected and spread the virus. Resistance falls fairly quickly, so animals must be re vaccinated every 4-6 months.
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