Does foot and mouth disease pass to humans or is it fatal? What is foot and mouth disease, the consequences for humans! Does it transfer to humans? Symptoms of foot and mouth disease in humans!

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has revoked the licenses of veterinarians, veterinary health technicians and technicians across Turkey until further notice. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry “As a result of the studies carried out, the first case of SAT-2 serotype foot and mouth disease was discovered.” made the statement. Millions of people question the information about foot and mouth disease virus. Research is being done into what the foot-and-mouth disease virus is and how it spreads. Here is the information about foot and mouth disease virus…

In a statement from the Elazig Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, “Animal markets are closed due to this form of foot and mouth disease in our country. The sale and movement of animals is prohibited until further notice. Otherwise, law enforcement officials will have 46,000 send people to those who do not comply with the measures taken by the ministry to prevent the spread of diseases in accordance with the relevant article of law 36a. An administrative fine of 159 lira will be imposed,” it said.

In addition, the message sent to the farmers by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry emphasized that the vaccine trials had started and that the detected virus was SAT-2, the vaccine trials had been started by the private sector and the state, and emphasized that it would be delivered to the field when production was complete.

What is foot and mouth disease?

Foot and mouth disease is an acute, highly contagious and zoonotic viral infection of ungulates. The transmission rate of the disease is high and can be as high as 100 percent in susceptible animal populations. For this reason, the disease is of great importance in economic, political and commercial aspects.

The causative agent of the disease is the foot and mouth disease virus, which is in the Aphtovirus subgroup of the Picornaviridae family. There are seven antigenically distinct serotypes of the virus namely O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3 and ASIA 1. (O) serotype has II, A serotype has 32, C serotype has 5, SAT I serotype has I, SAT 2 serotype has 3, SAT 3 serotype has 4 and ASIA I serotype has I subtype. The absence of cross-immunity between serotypes makes it difficult to control the disease.

The virus shows varying sensitivity to physical agents. It is heat resistant and becomes ineffective by being destroyed in 12 hours at 37oC, in 1/2 hour at 60-65oC and in a few minutes at 85oC. However, it is very resistant to low temperatures and sudden freezing and thawing.

To summarize; It is a viral disease that can be observed in all cloven-hoofed animals, domestic or wild, which causes death in weak and young animals with chronic conditions, and generally leads to loss of meat, milk and labour. It is one of the diseases to be reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey.

Foot and mouth disease symptoms

Fever, loss of appetite, depression and reduced milk production are the first clinical findings in cattle. Within 24 hours, salivation begins and blisters form on the tongue gums. Vesicles can be found in the interdigital region, coronary region, breast skin, oral and nasal mucosa. Large ulcerative sores can form when the vesicles rupture.

While the wounds (lesions) on the tongue usually heal within a few days, the lesions on the feet and in the nasal area are usually exposed to secondary (secondary) bacterial infections. As a result of secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia and mastitis may occur and nails may fall.

The most obvious way to spread the disease is through the respiratory tract of the virus in the air. Infected or breeding animals spread the virus through breathing, skin, secretions and extracts, milk and semen. The disease can also be transmitted by contaminated animal products, contaminated vehicles and tools, humans, wild animals, birds, wind and transportation vehicles.

Can foot and mouth disease be transmitted to humans?

The most obvious way to spread the disease is through the respiratory tract of the virus in the air. Infected or breeding animals can be transmitted through the respiratory tract, skin, secretions and extracts, milk and semen, as well as through contaminated animal products, contaminated vehicles and tools, humans, wild animals, birds, wind and transport vehicles. Humans are reported to rarely contract the infection through contact with infected animals or through contaminated meat and dairy products.