Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. Elephants, hedgehogs and some rodents are also susceptible to the virus but do not develop clinical signs of the disease. 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. Horses are not affected.

In Canada, FMD is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations, and all cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Information we provide for the general public includes:

• Fact Sheet
• Information for Travellers
  • Imported vehicles and equipment from countries infected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease
  • Procedures for settlers (personal) effects
  • Restricted commodities from a country infected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease
• Questions and Answers

Information we provide for producers and the livestock sector includes:

• Animal Biosecurity
• Imports
  • Avians imported into Canada from countries with Foot-and-Mouth Disease
  • Horses imported into Canada from countries with Foot-and-Mouth Disease
  • Country Freedom Recognition
• What to expect if your farm is under investigation

Notices to Industry and News Releases about FMD:

• 2011-02-04 - Notice to Industry -  Key to disease prevention is sound farm-level biosecurity
• 2011-01-31 - News Release -  North American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank Provides Vaccine to the Republic of Korea
• 2010-05-17 - Notice to Industry -  Animal Health Starts on the Farm
• Notice to Veterinarians: Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Let's Be Vigilant