FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2001
USDA ESTABLISHES TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE INFORMATION
WASHINGTON---The USDA has established a toll-free telephone center to respond to questions from the public, industry, and media regarding USDA’s response to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe. The toll-free number is 1-800-601-9327.
The phone center is staffed by veterinarians and import/export experts from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service who can explain the restrictions and regulations impacting people and products arriving at US ports-of-entry from foot-and-mouth disease affected countries.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hooved ruminants. The disease is characterized by fever and blister-like lesions followed by erosions on the tongue and lips in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Many affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated. It 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 clinical consequences, Foot and Mouth disease is one of the animal diseases that livestock owners dread most. The United States has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1929.
The USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service(APHIS) says the
disease can be spread by people wearing contaminated clothes or footwear
or using contaminated equipment who pass the virus to susceptible animals;
animals carrying the virus that are introduced into susceptible herds;
contaminated facilities that are used to hold susceptible animals; contaminated
vehicles that used to move susceptible animals, raw or improperly cooked
garbage that contains infected meat or animal products which is fed to
susceptible animals; susceptible animals that are exposed to materials
such as hay, feedstuffs, hides, or biologics
contaminated with the virus; susceptible animals that drink common
source contaminated water; or a susceptible cow that is inseminated by
semen from an infected bull.
As of yesterday, there were 379 reported cases of foot and mouth disease in England. A case can range from 1 to any number of livestock. About 200,000 livestock have been slaughtered in that country, and 100,000 are waiting to be slaughtered. Five cases were reported in Argentina with 20 more pending. The US has cut all livestock trade with Argentina. One confirmed case was reported in France, and the disease has long been a problem in several African countries.
Officials say that the disease is not believed to affect humans. The disease has no implications for the human food chain. The concern is that people from other countries or Americans visiting other countries will bring the disease on their shoes and clothes, etc. into the US and infect American livestock. In addition, the disease can be transmitted through equipment. The problem is destruction of a food source and grave economic consequences to a vital part of agriculture in the state and nation. For more information log on to: www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/index.html or call Dr. Jones Bryan, State Veterinarian, 803-788-2260.