It is a viral disease. The disease is mostly non-fatal. It causes severe economic losses. It is a highly contagious disease that affects most farm animals (cows, pigs, goats, sheep, elephants, and mice. Horses are not infected with this disease, and it rarely affects humans).The scientist (Frederick Loeffler) in 1897 AD proved the viral origin of the disease. After he passed the blood of an infected animal through a glass filter, he found that the liquid obtained could still cause disease in healthy animals.Foot and mouth disease is widespread in many countries, and partially affects Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Some countries have eradicated this disease, including (such as Australia, the United States, America and Canada.The most important infection and spread of the disease was in the United Kingdom in 2001, when it required the killing of many animals (2 million heads of cows) and the cancellation of many sporting and recreational events.Countries within the European Union have stopped vaccinations against the disease because they are free from the disease and because they follow a policy of killing and not vaccinating.North and Central America, Australia, New Zealand and the British Isles have not known cases for several years.Etiology:Foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus of the same name, 25 to 30 nanometers in size, containing a single positively charged RNA.There are 7 serotypes of foot and mouth virus: (O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3, Asie-1).These serotypes appear differently in different regions. Scientists consider that the danger in this virus is the possibility of changing its genetic makeup from time to time. Where new dangerous species appear in animals causing huge losses in animal production. And it is a big challenge for veterinarians.SymptomsThe incubation period for the disease ranges from 2-7 days. The animal’s temperature also rises, and the virus multiplies very quickly in the blood, and what is called (Viraemia) occurs, after which vesicles filled with transparent liquid appear inside the mouth, especially the epithelial membrane of the tongue, on the gums, in the cleft of the hooves, and on the nipples of the udder. Then saliva secretion and fluidity increases. When these vesicles burst, they leave open sores and are an area susceptible to infection with bacteria, as they become inflamed and rot. These inflamed tissues in the mouth mainly prevent the animal from eating, and when they are present in the feet, they prevent it from moving. Milk production also decreases as a result of infections, fever, and refusal to feed, which makes the animal emaciated, thin, and unable to move.The disease is at the top of the economic loss in animals that depend mainly on grazing for their lives. They lose the ability to move and also lose the ability to eat due to the presence of infections inside the mouth, so their weight decreases. In young animals, the death rate exceeds 50%, but in adults, the disease is generally non-fatal and the death rate reaches 5%. Among the bad effects of this disease on the affected animal is abortion, sterility, weak births, and decreased milk production for a large period of up to six months or more.Date of onset of illnesses:Although the disease is widely spread in the world and there is a lot of information about it in contemporary history, the first historical report on the disease was in northern Italy, and it was known when a bulletin was issued about its spread in 1514. But it was spread widely after the Second World War. One of the most important cases known later;The United Kingdom in 2001 and the infection in northern Europe in 2001 resulted in losses estimated at 13 billion euros in Europe. According to the theory, the serotype (o) causing this infection came from the dish of an Asian restaurant, through disrespect for European laws in a pig farm, which led to infection that covered all of Great Britain and a large part of Europe.United Kingdom 2007 a new foot-and-mouth infection appears in England.In April 2010, foot and mouth disease spread in Japan and South Korea, causing severe damage to the livestock and meat production sectors.In the Republic of Egypt 2012, it appeared in many rural governorates and infected hundreds of livestock.In Algeria in 2014, the disease appeared in 23 out of 40 Algerian states.Disease transmission;Foot and mouth disease is considered one of the most contagious diseases, as it is transmitted from an infected animal to a healthy one, directly or indirectly. As a result of contact with materials contaminated with the virus such as (saliva, milk, feces, urine). It also spreads (mechanically) by birds, cars and spreading. In addition to its transmission by domestic and wild animals, which carry the virus for a long time after recovery from it (where it acts as a natural reservoir for it), and it is also transmitted by wind under appropriate weather conditions.The ease with which the foot and mouth virus spreads is due to three important factors: Firstly; Strong virus resistance to all vaccines. Second: its volatility. Third: The increase in the number of breeding farms, the high density in them, and the ease of movement of animals from one place to another. All this makes foot and mouth disease spread faster and infects more animals. The virus can live for a few days in the outside air, then it is transmitted from one animal to another by direct contact, or through the air, or the feet of contaminated animals that you put in the mud, and also through shoes.The main ways of transmission are:Through virus-laden droplets form infected animal.Through the secretions of infected animals (vomit or saliva) contaminated with the virus.Through semen, especially from bulls to cows.Predators and pets can transmit the disease while they do not show obvious symptoms of the disease, only carrying the virus.A person can contribute to the transmission of the disease from infected areas to other areas by carrying the virus on clothing, skin, or various means of transportation.Laboratory diagnosis:It is important to identify the virus that causes the disease. This is to choose the appropriate vaccine to be used as an anti-disease vaccine.Samples are taken from the epithelial membrane of the tongue or alveolar fluid. The sample is placed in a 50% sterile saline solution, provided that the pH concentration is not less than 7.4. The ELISA technique is also used in the diagnosis of this disease, as well as the molecular biology technique.Disease control:Countries rely on a number of policies in order to control the disease and prevent its spread. In general, it is either the periodic and annual vaccination with monitoring and laboratory examination, or the killing of sick or suspected animals.