Foot and mouth disease (FMD) affects cloven-hoofed animals including:
It does not affect humans.
The last outbreak in Great Britain was in 2007. There are no current cases or control zones in the UK.
Cattle with foot and mouth disease may develop sores and blisters (vesicles):
Other signs of foot and mouth disease in cattle include:
Sheep rarely develop mouth blisters as a result of foot and mouth disease. Lameness is the main sign of the disease.
Signs of foot and mouth disease in sheep include:
Pigs rarely develop blisters as a result of foot and mouth disease. Lameness is the main sign of the disease.
Signs of foot and mouth disease in pigs include:
Sometimes, pigs may develop blisters on the:
Swine vesicular disease and Seneca Valley virus can be confused with foot and mouth disease. If you see any of these signs, even if you suspect swine vesicular disease or Seneca Valley virus, you must report them.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will manage the condition as suspected foot and mouth disease until laboratory tests prove otherwise.
Other cloven-hoofed animals, including goats and deer, can also be infected and introduce the disease to farm animals.
Signs of foot and mouth disease in these animals are similar to those in sheep, pigs and cattle.
There are some photos of clinical signs of foot and mouth disease on Flickr.
If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:
Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable animal disease. This means if you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
APHA vets will investigate any reports. Find out what happens when a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed.
Foot and mouth disease is highly infectious.
Animals can catch the virus through direct contact with an infected animal.
The disease can also pass indirectly through:
The virus is present in the fluid of the blisters that animals develop. It can also be found in their saliva, urine, dung, milk and exhaled air before signs of the disease appear.
You can help prevent the disease with good hygiene and biosecurity on your premises.
Find out more about preventing animal disease and how the government will control an outbreak in:
Published 26 August 2014
Last updated 17 January 2025 + show all updates
