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North America is one of just three continents in the world currently free from the devastating impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), but that could change quickly if producers don’t remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures. The current outbreak in Japan has already resulted in the euthanization of more than 35,000 cattle and pigs. This number is expected to rise into the hundreds of thousands.
FMD is an animal disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, swine, goats and sheep.
It does not impact humans. The virus however, can be easily transmitted through clothing and shoes and can live for days in both animal and human nasal tissues.
Unsuspecting travelers can transport the disease quickly to non-infected animals. Washington’s close proximity to the Pacific Rim and the considerable agriculture commerce between our state and Japan compelled us to remind producers to review on-farm biosecurity measures with employees, salespeople and service personnel.
What is FMD?
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a serious animal disease that affects wild and domestic animals with cloven (divided) hooves, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and deer. FMD is not a human health concern. The FMD virus is highly contagious and easily spread among susceptible animals by wind, animals, people and vehicles. Dogs, cats, horses and other animals without cloven hooves are not susceptible to FMD.
FMD is not related to Hand, Food and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a common viral illness of infants and children, nor is it the same as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as “mad cow disease” (for more information about BSE, visit www.BSEInfo.org).
Safety of meat and milk products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) agree FMD is not a threat to human health and does not affect the safety of pasteurized milk and meat.
FMD and the United States
The United States has not had an outbreak of FMD since 1929 and is recognized as “FMD free” by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Other countries considered “FMD free” include Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and many European countries. FMD occurs in more than 100 countries on the continents of Africa, South America, Asia and some parts of Europe.
Economic importance of FMD
FMD is a highly contagious animal disease that can cause significant economic harm to livestock producers and local communities. The most serious economic effects would result from large-scale losses of livestock and severe restriction of agricultural exports. In addition, restricted travel in FMD control areas could result in diminished commerce and tourism.
Affected livestock during an outbreak
FMD permanently affects the health and productivity of infected animals and is capable of spreading rapidly, with nearly 100 percent of exposed animals ultimately becoming infected. To control the spread of the disease from animal to animal and farm to farm, the infected animals must be quarantined and euthanized, and human and vehicle traffic around and within the outbreak area must be stopped.
Agriculture industry and government commitment to FMD prevention
The beef, pork and dairy industries joined forces to create the Cross-Species FMD Communications Team in order to increase industry preparedness to quickly respond in the event of an FMD outbreak. The team developed a unified crisis response plan to help eliminate consumer confusion in the event of an outbreak.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) vigiliantly and continuously monitors for FMD in the United States and across the world. APHIS also work with Customs and Border Protection to screen for rpoducts that could carry the FMD virus at U.S. ports of entry. Additionally, imports of susceptible animals and animal products from FMD-affected countries are prohibited.
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