Meyer R F, Knudsen R C
Laboratory Safety Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Health & Safety, 1600 Clifton Road, MS F-05, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
J Environ Health. 2001 Nov;64(4):21-3.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is the etiologic agent of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which is a disease of cattle, swine, and other cloven-footed animals. FMD is characterized by the formation of vesicles on the tongue, nose, muzzle, and coronary bands of infected animals. The virus has several unique characteristics that enable it to cause one of the most economically devastating diseases in today's world. The ease with which it may be transmitted by contact and aerosol, combined with its enhanced ability to initiate infections, virtually ensures that most, if not all, animals in a herd will contract FMD. The long-term survival of FMDV in infected animals' tissues and organs, especially when refrigerated, offers an opportunity for its national and international transmission through the food chain. Multiple serotypes and numerous subtypes reduce the effectiveness and reliability of vaccines. The possible development of carriers in vaccinated animals and those that have recovered from FMD provides additional potential sources of new outbreaks. These features create a disease that can have a major economic impact on farmers and entire nations.
口蹄疫病毒（FMDV）是口蹄疫（FMD）的病原体，口蹄疫是牛、猪和其他偶蹄动物的一种疾病。口蹄疫的特征是受感染动物的舌头、鼻子、口鼻部和蹄冠带出现水疱。该病毒具有几个独特的特性，使其能够引发当今世界上最具经济破坏力的疾病之一。它通过接触和气溶胶传播的容易程度，再加上其引发感染的能力增强，几乎可以确保一群动物中的大多数（如果不是全部）都会感染口蹄疫。口蹄疫病毒在受感染动物的组织和器官中长期存活，尤其是在冷藏条件下，这为其通过食物链在国内和国际传播提供了机会。多种血清型和众多亚型降低了疫苗的有效性和可靠性。接种疫苗的动物以及从口蹄疫中康复的动物可能会成为病毒携带者，这为新疫情的爆发提供了额外的潜在来源。这些特征造成了一种会对农民和整个国家产生重大经济影响的疾病。
