It is the most feared animal disease and spreads like wildfire among pigs, cattle, goats and sheep. The animals get blister-like lesions around their mouths and hooves and must be slaughtered to prevent further contamination. Humans are immune to the disease, but often act as carriers. A quarantine zone of 10 kilometres is set up immediately once an infected farm is discovered and a total ban on the movement of animals and animal products is imposed. The impact on the farming industry is devastating. But the price of failure in combating the disease is even greater. It’s blacklisting and a ban on all agricultural produce.
A graphic example of the fight against the feared virus.

Produced by SABC Special Assignment