Foot-and-mouth disease. Empty rural car park due to the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The notice at lower right explains that animals nearby are suspected of having the disease. Foot-and-mouth is caused by viruses in the picornavirus group. It infects wild and domestic cloven-hoofed animals, causing fever and blisters in the mouth and on the feet. It is highly contagious, spreading by direct contact with infected animals and animal products, in the air and on equipment exposed to infection. Infected farm animals are killed and burnt to remove contamination. Photographed in Northumberland National Park, England, in 2001.