MODEL RELEASED. Foot and mouth disease. Man disinfecting farm machinery to remove foot and mouth disease virus contamination. This disease is caused by viruses in the picornavirus group. It infects domestic and wild cloven-hooved animals, causing fever followed by the development of blisters in the mouth and on the feet. It is highly contagious, spreading by direct contact with infected animals and animal products, in the air and on equipment exposed to infection. Diseased areas are quarantined to avoid further spread and thoroughly disinfected. Infected farm animals are slaughtered and burnt to remove contamination. Photographed in early 2001.