Definition

1. Noun:
   • A highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals: "foot-and-mouth disease" is a severe, acute viral infection that primarily affects livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. It is characterized by fever and the development of painful blisters (ulcers) in the mouth and on the feet, particularly around the hoofs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The farm was placed under quarantine due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
  • Vaccination programs are crucial for controlling the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
  • The economic impact of foot-and-mouth disease on the agricultural sector can be devastating.

Advanced Usage

• "to be diagnosed with foot-and-mouth disease": to be confirmed as having the illness.
  • The herd was diagnosed with foot-and-mouth disease after showing classic symptoms.
• "an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease": a sudden occurrence of the disease in a population.
  • The country halted all meat exports following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Variants and Related Words

• FMD: A common abbreviation for "foot-and-mouth disease".
  • The FMD status of a region is critical for international trade.
• Aphthous fever: A less common synonym for foot-and-mouth disease.
  • Aphthous fever is another name for the same viral condition.

Synonyms

• Hoof-and-mouth disease: An alternative name, though "foot-and-mouth disease" is the standard term.
• Aphthae epizooticae: A technical/medical term for the disease.

Related Phrases

• Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV): The specific virus that causes the disease.
  • Scientists are studying the foot-and-mouth disease virus to develop better vaccines.
• Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine: A biological preparation used to provide immunity against the disease.
  • All cattle in the region received the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.

Notes

• Important Distinction: "Foot-and-mouth disease" is not the same as "hand, foot and mouth disease", which is a common, mild viral illness in humans, especially children. The two are caused by entirely different viruses.

Noun

1. acute contagious disease of cloven-footed animals marked by ulcers in the mouth and around the hoofs