MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK

March 21, 2001

Contact: Karen R. Cooper, APR

Public Information Officer

Department of Livestock

406-444-9431

PRECAUTIONS URGED FOR FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (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. Montana State Veterinarian Dr. Arnold Gertonson is urging livestock producers to be cautious about international travel and visitation of their operation by international travelers regarding the possibility of spreading Foot-and-Mouth Disease into the United States. Dr. Gertonson and officials of other states are working closely with the USDA to prevent the introduction of FMD into Montana and the United States.

“Although there is no human health risk involved, everyone should be aware of the seriousness of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and the devastating impact it would have on our livestock industry if it is brought into the United States or in North America,” Gertonson said. “Considering our trade associations with our North American trading partners, we are also very concerned that this disease or other foreign animal diseases not penetrate North America.” Gertonson stressed that the state and federal agencies are doing everything in their power to protect U.S. borders and the U.S. livestock industry from this devastating disease.

“Animals and animal products have been responsible for 85 percent or more of the outbreaks of FMD,” Gertonson said. “It’s imperative that visitors or those returning to the United States not bring meat products into the U.S.”

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. The disease is characterized by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves. Blisters followed by erosions in the mouth or on the feet and the resulting slobbering or lameness are the best known signs of the disease. Many affected animals recover from the acute phase of the disease, but the disease may leave them debilitated. It causes severe losses in the production of meat and milk.

FMD can be confused with several other animal illnesses. Whenever blisters or other typical signs are observed, laboratory tests must be completed to confirm the disease. “If a producer notices signs that they believe may be similar to FMD, they should immediately contact their veterinarian for a diagnosis,” Gertonson said. There is no treatment for the disease at this time.

FMD is a virus and can be airborne or spread by animals, people or materials that bring the virus into physical contact with susceptible animals. The following precautions should be taken to help prevent the spread of FMD and other diseases:

--International travelers should declare to customs if they have been on a farm, in contact with livestock, and the presence of meat, dairy and other animal products;

--When a new animal moves onto a farm, be sure that the health status and the source of the animal is known;

--If possible, new animals or animals returning to a farm should be separated from the rest of the herd for at least two weeks;

--If possible, exclude foreign visitors from farms for at least five days after arrival in the United States;

--Ask foreign visitors to provide information about recent farms and animal contacts;

--Clothing worn on farms in other countries should be washed and footwear should be disinfected; luggage, cameras and other items should be cleaned and disinfected if possible;

--All footwear should be disinfected before entering and after leaving an animal housing area;

--Do not allow animal products, clothes, luggage, cameras and other items from affected countries onto a farm;

--Discourage walking through feed mangers and physical contact of animals by foreign visitors;

--Farms should have one common entrance/exit with disposable boots or a disinfectant footbath provided;

--Keep vehicles, such as milk, feed and livestock trucks, from driving through areas where animals are housed or feed is kept.

“If a person has traveled to a country where FMD exists, he or she is requested to stay away from farm animals for a minimum of five days after they return to the United States,” Gertonson said. “These security measures are of utmost importance in preventing the introduction of FMD or any disease from entering any producer’s livestock operations.”

Although there is no vaccine readily available in this country, FMD vaccine can be produced to aid in control of FMD. “The vaccine will not prevent infection, but it is an aid in preventing transmission,” Gertonson said.

“The DOL has had and continues to have a good working relationship with Montana’s livestock producers and veterinarians in preventing, reporting and controlling livestock diseases,” Gertonson added. “Montana will continue to stay on top this FMD situation.” The DOL has three veterinarians in the Helena office, and three veterinarians in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Bozeman. The DOL veterinarians and veterinarians from the office of the federal area veterinarian-in-charge are working closely to prevent FMD from entering Montana. These veterinarians will be the first to respond to a suspected case of FMD in Montana if it would occur. Montana livestock producers and regulatory officials are joining the effort to prevent the disease in Montana and North America.

Montana has 28,000 farms and ranches, 2.6 million cattle, 370,000 sheep and 150,000 hogs. Montana Department of Livestock records dating back to 1907 do not show any cases of FMD. The U.S. has been free of FMD since 1929.

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