FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE AS A ZOONOTIC EMERGING DISEASE OF LIVESTOCK WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS IN EGYPT (A REVIEW ARTICLE)

Abstract

FMD (Foot-and-mouth disease) or hoof-and-mouth disease (Aphtae epizooticae) is an infectious and sometimes fatal (contagious) viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals including domestic and wild bovids. The virus causes a high fever for two or three days followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is one of the most contagious viruses of animals and is recognized as the most important constraint to international trade in animals and animal products (Kwatra, et al. 1999). Foot-and-mouth disease is a severe plague for animal farming since it is highly infectious and can be spread by infected animals through aerosols through contact with contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing or feed and by domestic and wild predators (Martinez-Salas, et al. (2008). Two fundamental problems remain to be understood before more effective control measures can be put in place. These problems are the FMDV (carrier state) and the short duration of immunity after vaccination which contrasts with prolonged immunity after natural infection (Hutber, et al. 1998). Its containment demands considerable efforts in vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions and quarantines and occasionally the elimination of millions of animals. Susceptible animals include cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, antelope, deer, and bison. It has also been known to infect hedgehogs, elephants, llama, and alpaca may develop mild symptoms, but are resistant to the disease and do not pass it on to others of the same species (Murugavel and Veerapandian 1998). In laboratory experiments, mice and rats and chickens have been