Foot and Mouth Diseasein sheep, goats, semi-domesticated and wild animals

摘要

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is considered to be the most economically devastating and highly contagious vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals including more than 70 species of wild animals. The clinical picture of the disease in sheep and goatsis described as less florid and subdued. Therefore it mostly remains unnoticed in these animals. Sheep and goats may also become virus carriers after exposure. Nevertheless, due to their ability to become carriers, poses major risk of entry of FMD to disease-free countries through trade of these animals. FMD also causes a serious problem in semi-domesticated species like mithun and yak. The symptoms of the disease in wildlife resemble to those seen in domesticated livestock. Above all, small ruminantsand wildlife species need the major focus for the real control of FMD in the country.