April 19, 2001

Dairy Specialist Says Avoiding Foot and Mouth Disease Is Everyone’s Responsibility

With international concern over foot and mouth disease at a critical level, the health of the nation’s livestock and the financial well-being of livestock producers depends on everyone, says a dairy specialist at North Dakota State University.

"The current outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom obviously has had a dramatic impact on the movement and export of livestock and related products from the countries. However, even casual tourists and brief visitors to any country that has foot and mouth disease should be aware of the ease with which the disease can be spread," says J.W. Schroeder of the NDSU Extension Service.

The disease usually only affects cloven-footed animals, with pigs, cattle and sheep being the most commonly affected. But it also can cause disease in wild animals such as deer and cloven footed exotic species in zoos and game parks.

"Interestingly, the disease is rarely fatal to livestock," Schroeder notes. "The majority of affected cattle, sheep and pigs recover within a few weeks. Production losses, however, are devastating."

The foot and mouth virus is among the most contagious known and spreads quickly over long distances. Vehicles used to haul animals, animal feed, byproducts and bedding frequently spread the disease. The virus also can be spread long distances by winds.

"Unfortunately, human traffic also is a common means of spread," Schroeder says. "During an outbreak restrictions on the movement of people in the countryside is often restricted. In the United Kingdom, hiking, fishing, dog walking and the use of several national parks are among activities that have been curtailed."

"If you or a family member are traveling abroad, be advised to exercise extreme prudence wherever possible with respect to contact with livestock and farms," Schroeder says. "If possible, avoid contact with livestock and avoid areas where livestock have been in recent weeks. Also recognize quarantine protocols upon your return."

Guidelines to help international travelers avoid transmitting foot and mouth disease are available from the NDSU Extension Service on the Web at www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/fmdiseas.htm .

"If you intend to stay with farming families during your trip, rethink those arrangements or reconsider the entire trip, especially if the farm is in an area that has reported cases of foot and mouth disease," Schroeder suggests. "Sightseeing in rural areas should be kept to a minimum or avoided and shoes and outer clothing should be disinfected with a solution approved by regulatory agencies like the British Ministry of Agriculture Farm and Fisheries."

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Source: J.W. Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu