| disease | Foot-and-mouth Disease |
| alias | Foot and Mouth Disease, Aphthous Fever, Foot-and-mouth Disease |
Foot-and-mouth disease, also known as aphthous fever, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. It poses a significant threat to livestock. Occasionally, it can infect humans and cause illness.
bubble_chart Etiology
This disease is caused by Coxsackie A group viruses, and some believe it is related to type O and type C viruses, all of which belong to the small RNA viruses. Humans contract the disease through direct contact with infected livestock or when the virus enters the body through minor wounds during milking. Occasionally, infection occurs through foods such as milk or butter. Generally, transmission between humans is not easily achieved.
bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations
The incubation period is 2 to 10 days. Initially, the patient experiences fever, headache, and general discomfort, with oral mucosa congestion, dryness, and a burning sensation. After 2 to 3 days, blisters appear on the oral mucosa, nasal mucosa, tongue, lips, palms, soles, and skin between the fingers, at which point the body temperature returns to normal. The rash gradually enlarges or merges into larger blisters. The blister fluid is clear or cloudy. When the blisters rupture, they form shallow ulcers. Nearby lymph nodes may swell. The condition is more severe in infants and young children than in adults. The course of the illness lasts about one week.
bubble_chart Auxiliary Examination
Histopathology: A localized blister is observed in the deep layers of the skin mucosa, with intranuclear inclusion bodies present in the adjacent cells.
Based on a history of contact with infected livestock and symptoms such as blisters, ulcers, and fever on the hands, feet, and mouth, a diagnosis can be made. If conditions permit, virus isolation from blister fluid and detection of specific complement and neutralizing antibodies in serum can confirm the diagnosis.
bubble_chart Treatment MeasuresIsolate and promptly treat sick livestock. Patients should rest in bed, drink plenty of water, and maintain oral hygiene. Eat easily digestible food. Administer antibiotics and symptomatic treatment when systemic symptoms are evident. Chinese medicinals: Bovine Bezoar Pill for Detoxification and Forsythia Antitoxin Pills.
It should be differentiated from hand-foot-and-mouth disease: Hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly affects preschool-aged children. It spreads through person-to-person transmission. The blisters are not easily ruptured, surrounded by erythema, and appear pearl-white. Systemic symptoms are mild, and the prognosis is favorable.
