<P> FMD occurs throughout much of the world, and while some countries have been free of FMD for some time, its wide host range and rapid spread represent cause for international concern . After World War II, the disease was widely distributed throughout the world . In 1996, endemic areas included Asia, Africa, and parts of South America; as of August 2007, Chile is disease - free, and Uruguay and Argentina have not had an outbreak since 2001 . In May 2014, the FAO informed that Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru were "just one step away" from eradication; North America and Australia have been free of FMD for many years . New Zealand has never had a case of foot - and - mouth disease . Most European countries have been recognized as disease - free, and countries belonging to the European Union have stopped FMD vaccination . </P> <P> However, in 2001, a serious outbreak of FMD in Britain resulted in the slaughter of many animals, the postponing of the general election for a month, and the cancellation of many sporting events and leisure activities, such as the Isle of Man TT . Due to strict government policies on sale of livestock, disinfection of all persons leaving and entering farms, and the cancellation of large events likely to be attended by farmers, a potentially economically disastrous epizootic was avoided in the Republic of Ireland, with just one case recorded in Proleek, Co . Louth . In August 2007, FMD was found at two farms in Surrey, England . All livestock were culled and a quarantine erected over the area . Two other suspected outbreaks have occurred since, although these seem now not to be related to FMD . The only reported case in 2010 was a false alarm from GIS Alex Baker, as proven false by the Florida Farm and Agricultural Department, and quarantine / slaughter of cattle and pigs was confirmed from Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan in June after three cows tested positive . Some 270,000 cattle have been ordered slaughtered following the disease's outbreak . </P> <P> The incubation period for foot - and - mouth disease virus has a range between one and 12 days . The disease is characterized by high fever that declines rapidly after two or three days, blisters inside the mouth that lead to excessive secretion of stringy or foamy saliva and to drooling, and blisters on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness . Adult animals may suffer weight loss from which they do not recover for several months, as well as swelling in the testicles of mature males, and in cows, milk production can decline significantly . Though most animals eventually recover from FMD, the disease can lead to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and death, especially in newborn animals . Some infected ruminants remain asymptomatic carriers, but they nonetheless carry FMDV and may be able to transmit it to others . Pigs cannot serve as asymptomatic carriers . </P> <P> Of the seven serotypes of this virus, A, C, O, Asia 1, and SAT3 appear to be distinct lineages; SAT 1 and SAT 2 are unresolved clades . The mutation rate of the protein - encoding sequences of strains isolated between 1932 and 2007 has been estimated to be 1.46 × 10 substitutions / site / year, a rate similar to that of other RNA viruses . The most recent common ancestor appears to have evolved about 481 years ago (early 16th century). This ancestor then diverged into two clades which have given rise to the extant circulating Euro - Asiatic and South African . SAT 1 diverged first 397 years ago, followed by sequential divergence of serotype SAT 2 (396 years ago), A (147 years ago), O (121 years ago), Asia 1 (89 years ago), C (86 years ago), and SAT 3 (83 years ago). Bayesian skyline plot reveals a population expansion in the early 20th century that is followed by a rapid decline in population size from the late 20th century to the present day . Within each serotype, there was no apparent periodic, geographic, or host species influence on the evolution of global FMDVs . At least seven genotypes of serotype Asia 1 are known . </P>

What are the symptoms of foot and mouth disease in cattle