Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

Wildlife can serve as reservoirs or spillover hosts. African buffaloes are known long-term carriers of FMDV without showing clinical signs, complicating eradication efforts in Southern Africa.

The carrier state in domestic animals, particularly cattle, is characterized by the persistence of FMDV in the pharyngeal tissues beyond 28 days post-infection.

The significance of carriers in disease transmission remains debated, but their existence necessitates prolonged surveillance post-outbreak.