Acid sensitive, FMDV is rapidly inactivated in the muscles, which become acid during the "setting" of meat, but survives well in the lymph nodes and bone marrow of chilled or frozen carcases.

The disinfectants commonly used for cleansing of FMDV-contaminated objects are :- washing soda- sodium carbonate for surfaces, formaldehyde for dust and feed, ionophores for boots and overalls.

In common with other small viruses FMDV is relatively resistant to antibacterial phenolic and quaternary ammonium disinfectants which have to be used at very high concentrations, e.g. 10%.