Introduction and Objectives: Foot-and-mouth disease is associated with an aphthovirus (family Picornaviridae) which occurs as seven major serotypes: A, 0, C, Southern African Territories (SAT) 1, SAT 2, SAT3 and Asia 1. However, there are a number of immunologically and serologically distinct subtypes with different degrees of virulence, especially within the A and 0 types. As there is no cross-immunity between serotypes, immunity to one serotype does not confer protection against the others which presents difficulties to vaccination programs. Determination of animals which carry the virus and show no clinical signs are of great importance in FMD eradication and control programs as well as public health surveillance. Materials and Methods: In this study 200 tonsils and soft palates specimen of animal carcasses (cow=106, sheep=94) referred to Mashhad industrial abattoir were obtained. The samples were immediately transported on ice to the central laboratory of veterinary organization of Khorasan Razavi province. After RNA extraction using QIAgen RNeasy® Mini kit. qPCR were performed. Results: The results show that 46 out of 106 cow samples and 25 out of 94 sheep samples were positive for the presence of FMD virus. This is equivalent of 43% and 26.6% of the cow and sheep samples, respectively. Conclusion: According to these results, special attention and future studies should be taken in consideration in vaccination, control and eradication of FMD program in Iran.

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