Foot-and-Mouth Disease Q's and A's

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Q's and A's

March 2001

Veterinary Services

Q: What is foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)?

A: FMD is a highly contagious and economically devastating disease of

cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer, and other

cloven-hooved ruminants. Many affected animals recover, but the disease

leaves them debilitated. FMD causes severe losses in the production of

meat and milk. Because it spreads widely and rapidly and because it has

grave economic as well as physical consequences, FMD is one of the animal

diseases that livestock owners dread most. The disease does not affect

food safety or humans.

Q: What are the potential economic ramifications of an FMD outbreak in

the United States?

A: An FMD outbreak in the United States could potentially cost the U.S.

livestock industry billions of dollars in losses in the first year.

Q: Can people get the disease from animals?

A: It is not believed to readily affect humans. The disease has no

implications for the human food chain. People, however, can spread the

virus to animals because it can remain in human nasal passages for as long

as 28 hours.

Q: How do you get rid of foot-and-mouth disease?

A: The virus can be killed off by heat, low humidity, or some

disinfectants. It is only rarely fatal, although it is more likely to

kill very young animals. There is no cure for the disease, and it usually

runs its course in 2 or 3 weeks with most animals recovering, although

some animals take up to 6 months to fully recover.

Q: If most animals don't die, why go to such great lengths to eradicate

it?

A: The disease is highly contagious with nearly 100 percent of exposed

animals becoming infected. If the disease became widespread in any

country there would be disastrous economic consequences. For example, the

most serious effects of the disease in dairy cattle are loss of milk and

yield.

Q: What is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doing to protect the

United States from foot-and-mouth disease?

A: In order to protect U.S. livestock from the introduction of FMD, USDA

implemented an interim rule on February 21, prohibiting or restricting the

importation into the United States of live swine and ruminants and any

fresh swine or ruminant meat (chilled or frozen) or products from Great

Britain or Northern Ireland. USDA's FMD policy has been to be proactive

and preventative. As a result, the interim rule is effective

retroactively. Products dated after January 14 are not permitted entry

into the United States. This rule has not yet been published in the

Federal Register.

Q: What is USDA doing to prevent travelers from bringing FMD into the

United States?

A: There is no change in the regulation regarding U.S. surveillance

measures of travelers for FMD. However, ports of entry have been notified

to enhance surveillance of travelers coming from Europe, particularly the

United Kingdom (UK) because that area is now considered to be at high risk

for FMD.

Q: What should travelers do if they are planning to visit a farm or are

in contact with livestock while abroad?

A: All international travelers must state on their Customs declaration

form whether or not they have been on a farm or in contact with livestock

and if they are bringing any meat or dairy products from their travels

back with them. APHIS officials will inspect the baggage of all travelers

who indicate they have been on a farm or in contact with livestock. Any

soiled footwear must be disinfected with detergent and bleach. If

travelers are around livestock in the UK and they have livestock at home

in the United States, they should avoid contact with their animals for 5

days after returning. In addition, soiled clothing must be washed and

disinfected prior to returning to the United States.

Q: Can travelers bring animal products back to the United States from

Europe?

A: Any ruminant or swine products (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and other

cloven-hooved animals included), with the exception of hard cheeses and

canned products with a shelf life, will be confiscated.

Q: How can farmers support USDA in its efforts to prevent FMD in the

United States?

A: As always, farmers can support U.S. efforts against FMD by watching

for excessive salivating, lameness, and other signs of FMD in their herd

and immediately reporting any unusual or suspicious signs of disease to

their veterinarian, State or Federal animal disease control officials, or

their county agricultural agent. Garbage feeders are encouraged to fully

cook their feed before giving it to livestock.

Additional Information

For more information about FMD, contact:

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services

Emergency Programs

4700 River Road, Unit 41

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Telephone (301) 734-8073

Fax (301) 734-7817

The APHIS Emergency Operations Center

(800) 940-6524

e-mail: emoc@aphis.usda.gov

Current information on animal diseases and suspected outbreaks is also

available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all

its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin,

sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or

marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all

programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,

etc.) should contact USDA1s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and

TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is

an equal opportunity provider and employer.