Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. The disease is characterized by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Many affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them weakened and debilitated.

Humans can contract FMD by ingesting animal products from an infected animal including cow’s milk (including pasteurized), cheese, and other dairy products. Direct contact with an infected animal will also spread the disease. When contracted, humans experience a variety of symptoms that range from headache, shivering, thirst, and eventually blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. Cases tend to be underreported and there are no deaths associated with the disease on record.

The CFIA has established measures to control FMD outbreaks. The last outbreak in Canada was in 1952.