Foot and mouth disease (FMD) affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer and buffalo. The symptoms of the disease include fever, excessive salivation, and as its name suggests, blisters in the mouth and on the feet. These blisters eventually rupture to form ulcers and erosions causing animals to abstain from food and show signs of lameness. Animals with the disease become unproductive as meat and milk production are impaired. In most cases, FMD is not life-threatening to animals, but it is highly contagious. The disease impacts heavily upon exporting countries, who are effectively banned from exporting meat to major trading partners. Australia’s stringent quarantine measures and its geographical isolation have assisted it to remain FMD-free.