Foot and mouth disease in sheep is caused by a virus. The foot and mouth disease virus affects many cloven-hoofed animals, including sheep, cattle, pigs, and deer. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with infected animals, or through contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces.
Symptoms of foot and mouth disease in sheep can include fever, lameness, blisters on the mouth, tongue, and feet, and a loss of appetite. The disease can also cause weight loss and reduced milk production in dairy sheep.
There is currently no cure for foot and mouth disease, and the best way to prevent its spread is through strict biosecurity measures, such as quarantining infected animals, disinfecting equipment and facilities, and limiting the movement of animals in and out of infected areas.
Overall, foot and mouth disease is a serious viral disease that can affect sheep and other cloven-hoofed animals, and strict biosecurity measures are important in preventing its spread.