American pigs and cattle are ‘vulnerable’ to deadly foot-and-mouth disease, federal government agency warns

America’s swine and cattle populations are vulnerable to the deadly and highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease, and “efforts to prepare for a potential outbreak could be strengthened,” according to a U.S. government watchdog.The Government Accountability Office suggested that “efforts to prepare for a potential outbreak could be strengthened.”The agency warned an outbreak in the U.S. could lead to “serious economic impacts,” including putting at risk some $19 billion in exports of meats and dairy products.