What are the causes of hoof and mouth disease?

The coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause of hoof and mouth disease. Oral ingestion is the main source of coxsackievirus infection. The illness spreads by person-to-person contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of someone with the infection. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most common in children in child care settings, where diaper changing and potty training are constant, and little hands often are in and out of the mouth frequently.