FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ralph Peck
March 20, 2001 (406) 444-3144
TDD: (406) 444-4687

Director Verifies Idaho is Hoof & Mouth Disease Free

(Helena, Mont.) — Ralph Peck, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture personally verified today that Idaho is free of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
"I spoke by phone with both Pat Takasugi, the Director/Secretary of the Idaho Department of Agriculture, and Idaho State Veterinarian Dr. Bob Hillman and they both told me quite plainly that Idaho does not have any cases of Foot and Mouth Disease," said Peck.

The following is a press release issued from the Idaho Department of Agriculture dated March 19, 2001:

Precautions, surveillance continue for Foot-and-Mouth-Disease
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho State Veterinarian Dr. Bob Hillman responded Monday to statements that alleged that Idaho had two cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
“Idaho state and federal animal health officials have asked all veterinary practitioners and livestock owners to report animals that have lesions on the mouth or feet. This is a normal part of surveillance for Foreign Animal Diseases in the state and nation”, said Dr. Hillman. “We routinely receive a number of reports of such animals every year. All are investigated by veterinary diagnosticians who are trained in the detection of Foreign Animal Diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease. We have recently received two such calls. One involved calves, and the other a horse. Test results confirm that the calf case is negative for Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Horses are not susceptible to the disease. We want to reiterate that Idaho does not have any cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.”

Hillman reiterated that state and federal animal health officials in Idaho will continue to investigate all cases of animals with mouth and foot lesions. He emphasized that anyone who notices symptoms – which include blisters (vesicles) and sores (erosions) in and around the mouth, muzzle, teats and feet of animals with cloven or “split” hooves – should report them immediately to their local, state or federal veterinarian.

"People who have worked around or been near infected animals or on an affected premise, or who 'smuggle' illegal meat products through customs, can inadvertently carry and spread the virus. The virus can also be spread by equipment, cars, clothing, shoes, food items, or even by surviving for a short time in the human respiratory system. We are particularly concerned about the innocent traveler who may unwittingly bring the virus in after traveling abroad," said Hillman.

“Livestock owners - whether they own one or 1,000 animals - are advised to step up their surveillance and to take precautions to protect herds from possible contamination. That means limiting vehicle traffic and visitor access to your animals and property, thorough cleaning and disinfection of clothing, footwear and equipment, and keeping new animals isolated for two weeks prior to adding them to the existing herd. If you've traveled internationally, don't risk carrying disease home to your herd. Stay away from livestock for at least one week after your return. Disinfect your boots and wash your clothes before working with your livestock,” said Hillman.

“Most importantly, livestock owners should report any symptoms of the disease in their animals immediately to their local, state or federal veterinarian,” he added.

To stop the spread of FMD infected or exposed animals must be destroyed, then burned or buried. Premises and equipment must also be disinfected to prevent the spread of the disease.

While an FMD vaccine is available, Dr. Hillman said it is used only to create a "disease-free" buffer zone around an infected area, and is generally not utilized until efforts to halt the disease have failed. In addition, because vaccinated animals may test positive, they cannot be shipped internationally and protocols require the animals be destroyed before a country can be declared free of the disease.

“A country cannot be declared FMD free as long as that country vaccinates for the disease,” said Hillman.

FMD is currently affecting four of the world's seven continents: Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, leaving only North America, Australia and Antarctica free of the disease.