What causes foot and mouth disease in animals?

Foot and mouth disease in animals is caused by a virus. This disease is caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus, which belongs to the Picornaviridae family and the genus Apthovirus. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cattle is caused by a virus – picornavirus. It is a highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and other animals. Symptoms of the disease include fever, blisters, and sores in the mouth and on the hooves, leading to lameness. The disease can spread rapidly through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated feed, equipment, and clothing. Although foot and mouth disease does not typically infect humans, it can have a significant economic impact on the livestock industry. Control measures include vaccination, culling infected animals, and movement restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.