Double trouble: foot and mouth plus farmer pushback

Although authorities are cautiously confident that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) can be contained, they’ve also stressed that strict adherence to the measures is a must. Any loosening up in containment protocols could spell disaster, as the virus is highly contagious.

FMD is a viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats, causing blister-like lesions on the mouth and feet.

The causative agent, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV)...