1.Description of the diseaseU.K.
A disease of swine that is clinically indistinguishable from foot-and-mouth disease, causing vesicles on the snout, lips, tongue and the coronary bands of the digits. The disease varies considerably in severity and may infect a pig herd without manifesting itself by clinical lesions. The virus is able to survive for long periods outside the body even in fresh meat; it is extremely resistant to normal disinfectants and noted for its persistence and stability over a pH range from 2,5 to 12. Particularly thorough cleaning and disinfection are, therefore, necessary.