What is the primary route by which cattle become infected with FMD within a herd?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary route by which cattle become infected with FMD within a herd?

In cattle, infection within a herd mostly happens when they inhale virus-containing aerosols. The virus enters through the respiratory tract, colonizes the upper airways (especially the nasopharynx and tonsillar tissues), and begins replication there. This leads to viremia and rapid spread to other animals in the group. Aerosol transmission is highly efficient in cattle because the respiratory mucosa is highly susceptible and infected animals shed virus in breath and saliva, sustaining an airborne spread within the herd. While ingestion or contact with contaminated objects can contribute to transmission, they are less effective as the primary route for establishing infection inside a herd.

In cattle, infection within a herd mostly happens when they inhale virus-containing aerosols. The virus enters through the respiratory tract, colonizes the upper airways (especially the nasopharynx and tonsillar tissues), and begins replication there. This leads to viremia and rapid spread to other animals in the group. Aerosol transmission is highly efficient in cattle because the respiratory mucosa is highly susceptible and infected animals shed virus in breath and saliva, sustaining an airborne spread within the herd. While ingestion or contact with contaminated objects can contribute to transmission, they are less effective as the primary route for establishing infection inside a herd.

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