Hoof and Mouth Disease is presently affecting Europe in many ways.
The following web sites have current information on the outbreak that can affect all hoofed animals
Please enjoy the sites.
The Pig Site
http://www.thepigsite.com
Funk and Wagnells Encylopedia
http://www.fwkc.com/encyclopedia/low/articles/f/f008000982f.html
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE,
also hoof-and-mouth disease, contagious febrile disease of animals,
including, rarely, humans.
Caused by a virus, it affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle,
swine, sheep, goats, and deer, often causing epidemics. The disease is
characterized by a sudden rise in temperature, followed by an eruption
of blisters occurring in the mouth, on areas of tender skin such as the
udder in females, and on the feet; blisters may also appear in the nostrils.
Salivation and frequent smacking of the lips accompany the eruption. The
blisters grow larger and then break, exposing raw, eroded surfaces. Eating
becomes difficult and painful, and because the soft tissues under the hoof
are inflamed, the animal invariably becomes lame and may shed its hooves.
Livestock raised for meat lose much weight, and dairy cattle and goats
give less milk. Often the disease kills very young animals and causes pregnant
females to abort. The crippling effect is extremely serious where oxen
are used as draft animals.
The U.S. has experienced nine distinct epizootics; the most serious occurred in 1914, invading 22 states and the District of Columbia. The latest outbreak, which occurred in California in 1929, was quickly controlled.
Foot-and-mouth disease nevertheless remains a menace to livestock raisers and the meat-packing, dairy, leather, and wool industries. The Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspects all imported livestock, stock feed, and bedding at all points of entry. The department is strict in enforcing quarantine.
Considerable progress has been made toward developing an effective vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease, but the cost (approximately $1 billion annually) of vaccinating all susceptible animals would be prohibitive. Moreover, the vaccine would not eradicate the disease. Consequently, the slaughter of all exposed animals is the only presently effective countermeasure to foot-and-mouth disease. During the outbreak
The above article plus additional information can be located on the
Funk and Wagnells Encylopedia Web site:
http://www.fwkc.com/encyclopedia/low/articles/f/f008000982f.html