Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Cloven-Hoofed Animals

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals, characterized by acute course and rapid spread. The morbidity rate is very high and can reach up to 100% in susceptible animal populations. Due to its economic losses, trade restrictions it triggers, and the high cost of control, it is a major animal health issue globally.

Causative Agent

The causative agent is the foot-and-mouth disease virus, belonging to the Aphtovirus subgenus of the Picornaviridae family. There are seven distinct serotypes of the virus: O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3, and Asia-1. The absence of cross-immunity between these serotypes complicates disease control. Additionally, the high mutation rate of the virus leads to the continuous emergence of new variants.

Structural Model of Aphtovirus (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Resistance Characteristics

The foot-and-mouth disease virus exhibits variable resistance to environmental and physical conditions.

Heat sensitivity:

• Inactivated within 12 hours at 37 °C
• Inactivated within 30 minutes at 60–65 °C
• Inactivated within minutes at 85 °C
• Resistant to low temperatures and rapid freezing-thawing cycles

Environmental resistance:

• Survives for 24 days in wool
• Survives for four weeks in cattle hide
• Survives for 15 weeks in manure
• Survives for 20 weeks in feed
• Survives for four weeks in soil
• Can retain infectivity for up to five months in dry forage and grain
• Virus is rapidly inactivated in infected carcasses at low temperatures but can remain viable for extended periods in blood, bone marrow, internal organs, and rapidly frozen muscle tissue

Transmission Routes

The foot-and-mouth disease virus can spread through both direct and indirect routes.

Infected or incubating animals shed the virus via respiratory secretions, skin, excretions, milk, and semen.

Aerosol transmission via the respiratory route is the most important mode of spread.

Contaminated feed, equipment, transport vehicles, wild animals, birds, and wind can contribute to transmission.

Transmission to humans is rare and occurs only through contact with infected animals or their products.

Oral Lesions in Cattle with Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs vary depending on the animal species, virus strain, viral dose, and the animal’s immune status.

In Cattle

• Fever, anorexia, depression, reduced milk yield
• Excessive salivation and vesicle formation on the tongue and gingiva within 24 hours
• Vesicles may appear on the mouth, nose, mammary skin, interdigital clefts, and coronary band
• Rupture of vesicles leads to ulcerative lesions
• Secondary bacterial infections may cause pneumonia, mastitis, and hoof loss
• Myocarditis and associated death may occur in young animals

In Sheep and Goats

• Milder course
• Persistent lameness
• Oral lesions are smaller and shorter-lived
• Economic losses are lower compared to cattle

Oral Lesions in Sheep with Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Diagnosis

Definitive diagnosis is established through virological and serological methods. Differential diagnosis must consider infections causing lameness, mucosal erosion, increased salivation, nasal discharge, and mammary lesions.

Control and Prevention Methods

The main strategies employed in controlling foot-and-mouth disease are:

• Culling (stamp-out)
• Quarantine
• Vaccination
• Movement restrictions and biosecurity

Vaccination is the primary method in endemic regions; however, its effectiveness requires quarantine and control of animal movements. Upon detection, rapid isolation, disinfection, destruction of dead animals, and establishment of regional buffer zones are implemented.

Status of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Türkiye

Records of foot-and-mouth disease in Türkiye date back to 1914. After the major outbreak in 1957, national control programs were strengthened. Various serotypes including O1, A22, SAT-1, and Asia-1 have been identified in the country; currently, O1, A Iran, and Asia-1 strains are responsible for outbreaks.

Vaccination and quarantine are the main control measures; however, control is challenged by animal mobility and illegal imports.

Global Status

Historically, foot-and-mouth disease has been widespread across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Some countries have successfully eradicated the disease through effective vaccination and culling programs. In enzootic regions, the risk of outbreaks remains.

Warning: The content in this article is provided solely for general encyclopedic information. The information here should not be used for diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Always consult a veterinarian or qualified health professional before making any decisions regarding animal health. Neither the author nor KÜRE Encyclopedia assumes any responsibility for consequences arising from the use of this information for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.