The role of small ruminants in the epidemiology and transmission of foot-and-mouth disease

Despite representing the largest part of the world's foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-susceptible domestic livestock, sheep and goats have generally been neglected with regard to their epidemiological role. This is partly due to the often inapparent nature of the disease in these hosts. Nevertheless, th eir ability to become carriers represents a reservoir for further infection and spread of disease, and so trade of live sheep and goats present a majo r risk of entry of FMD to disease-free countries. Research and epidemiologi cal studies continue to be necessary in order both to prevent the entry of the virus and to assist in control should the disease reoccur. This review concentrates primarily on more recent studies relating to sheep and goats a nd, in particular, considers the importance of these hosts in the overall e pidemiology of FMD.