Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed animals that causes blisters on the mouth, teats and soft tissues of the feet. FMD-affected animals have difficulty eating and walking and suffer weight loss from which they rarely recover.

FMD is not a significant health concern for humans and was last found in the United States in 1929. FMD and mad cow disease are different diseases.

Meat and milk from FMD-affected animals are safe to consume but can be dangerous sources of infection to susceptible animals. People can carry the FMD virus on their clothes, shoes and bodies and spread it to susceptible animals.

Purdue University Extension is helping the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with FMD education.

Photographs Hand wash station, photo by John Jaworski featuring: Molly Cutter, Robert LaFollette, and Mike Hornbach (left to right) FMD sign, photo by John Jaworski Close-up of FMD sign Purdue Extension information on FMD Foot-and-mouth disease publication (VY-62) FMD handout for producers Brochure on FMD precautions for 4-H fair exhibitors FMD sign for 4-H county fairs Animal disease backgrounder Animal Sciences FMD information page General information Producer information Partners Indiana State Board of Animal Health United States Department of Agriculture USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Foot-and-mouth disease program taped live Foot-and-mouth disease video