Which animals are susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, and what virus family causes it?

Which animals are susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, and what virus family causes it?

• A. Cattle, goats; rhabdovirus
• B. Horses; togavirus
• C. Cattle, sheep and swine; picornavirus
• D. Sheep and goats; retrovirus

Answer: (C)

Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a picornavirus in the genus Aphthovirus within the family Picornaviridae, and it primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals. The usual susceptible species include cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Among the options, cattle, sheep and swine with the picornavirus family correctly reflect both the typical host range and the viral family. The other choices pair incorrect host species (horses are not a primary susceptible group for FMD) or incorrect viral families (rhabdovirus, togavirus, retrovirus).

Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a picornavirus in the genus Aphthovirus within the family Picornaviridae, and it primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals. The usual susceptible species include cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Among the options, cattle, sheep and swine with the picornavirus family correctly reflect both the typical host range and the viral family. The other choices pair incorrect host species (horses are not a primary susceptible group for FMD) or incorrect viral families (rhabdovirus, togavirus, retrovirus).