Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly infectious, difficult to control viral disease of cattle, sheep, goats and swine. Most affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated and causes severe losses in meat and milk production.

Experimental studies have shown that the disease can also infect wildlife. Deer species, elk, antelope, caribou, and moose are susceptible, as well as bison, feral pigs, musk oxen, peccaries, and wild sheep. FMD is not known to cause serious illness in humans, and does not infect horses, mules or burros.

Wildlife Disease Specialists at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center are interacting with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and working with US Department of Interior land management and conservation agencies to provide information on disease status and risks and assist in developing and maintaining FMD prevention and contingency plans.

For more information on Foot and Mouth Disease, please contact Dr. Scott Wright, USGS National Wildlife Health Center at 608-270-2460, or Paul Slota, USGS National Wildlife Health Center at 608-270-2420.