Foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease of cloven-hoofed animals, which can also affect humans. People become infected through direct contact with a sick animal, as well as by consuming meat, milk and dairy products from an infected animal. How is foot-and-mouth disease manifested in humans and how do we treat this disease?

Foot-and-mouth disease , otherwise known assnout and hoof disease , is a dangerous and highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals. It most often attacks cows, goats, pigs and sheep, but also wild ruminants such as camels, reindeer, wild boar, buffaloes and deer. Foot-and-mouth disease is considered to be the most dangerous disease of animals, which can paralyze the trade in animals and animal products and cause huge economic losses.

The foot-and-mouth disease virus is sensitive to heat. The temperature of 37 degrees C destroys it within 24 hours, 60-65 degrees C - within an hour.

The foot-and-mouth disease virus is responsible for the development of the diseasePicornavirus aphtae . We know the following serotypes of this virus: O, A, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, Asia1. It is extremely virulent and insidious, because getting a disease caused by one type of virus does not make you immune to others. Treatment of foot-and-mouth disease is prohibited by law, infected animals, whole herds of even suspicious animals are killed. They can only be protected with vaccinations. On the other hand, human infection from an animal is rare, e.g. veterinarians can become ill, and the disease itself is mild.

How is the foot-and-mouth disease virus spread?

Animals become infected via droplets. The virus is transmitted by the wind, but also by any "intermediaries" - it can travel on animal feed, on the clothes of breeders, in cars transporting animals, it is also carried by insects. It is excreted outside along with saliva, milk and faeces already several hours after infection, so contact with these secretions is associated with a high probability of infection. If one animal becomes sick, it will take the entire herd with it in a short time. People get infected from animals in the same way.

Symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease

Within a short time (2-10 days) after entering the body, the animal becomes feverish, depressed and has no appetite. Then on the mucosablisters of various sizes appear on the crown of the hooves and in the interdigital cleft. Milk production is plummeting. The disease is slightly different in different species, but it can basically manifest itself in two types: benign or malignant. In the first case, the animal is recovering, but it is a virus carrier for up to 3 years. The virus is stored in the throat and can cause a new outbreak at any time. Malignant foot-and-mouth disease is fatal. Sometimes it doesn't even show any symptoms. Just an animal, usually young calves, it rains suddenly. In such cases, it turns out that the virus has attacked the heart muscle.

Worth knowing

In 2001, the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic broke out in Great Britain, in which 4 million animals were killed, including 940,000 head of cattle. Economic losses totaled $ 13.9 billion.

Human foot-and-mouth disease course

People rarely get foot-and-mouth disease. So far, dozens of cases around the world have been described. You can become infected by drinking raw milk, eating raw meat (the virus is sensitive to high temperatures) or by contact with a sick animal, e.g. by stroking. Viruses are found in all its surroundings - in its hair, in hay, in its faeces. Vets and pet owners usually get infected. The first symptoms of the disease are:

  • fever, chills, headaches, muscle and spine pains - the spectrum of flu-like symptoms
  • low blood pressure
  • dry mouth followed by drooling

After a few days, more characteristic symptoms appear, i.e. initially painful, small bubbles that then festering. These follicles are located in the nasopharynx, mouth, conjunctiva and the skin between the fingers and toes. They are covered with very delicate leather that breaks easily. In more severe cases, blisters also affect the face, ears, knee area, and the mucosa of the reproductive organs. The disease lasts about 2 weeks and usually passes spontaneously without complications. Topical disinfectants in ointments or rinses can be used. Antibiotics are also given to prevent possible secondary superinfections of blisters and erosions, as well as B vitamins. Foot and mouth disease should be distinguished from aphthas that run without fever. Occasionally, foot-and-mouth disease may be more difficult. These symptoms are accompanied by:

  • swelling of the larynx and trachea
  • pneumonia
  • gastrointestinal disorders
  • jaundice
  • myocarditis
Worth knowing

People who have professional contact with sick animalsfor foot-and-mouth disease, they must wear special protective clothing, frequently wash and disinfect their hands in a 1% caustic soda solution.

Category:

Infectious diseases