Watch out for foot-and-mouth
21 February 2001
Watch out for foot-and-mouth
By Alistair Driver
LIVESTOCK farmers have been urged to look for telltale signs of foot-and-mouth disease following Britains first outbreak of the disease for 20 years.
Ministry of Agriculture vets say farmers need to look out for vesicles – or blisters – around the mouth or feet of pigs, cattle, sheep and goats.
The viral disease is not usually fatal, but debilitates its victims, causing lameness, affecting growth and hampering milk production in dairy cattle.
One of the most contagious animal diseases, foot-and-mouth spreads far more quickly than other livestock diseases, having huge economic implications for farmers.
The incubation period in pigs can be anything between 2-14 days. In cattle sheep and goats, 14 days is a more common period.
There are numerous routes of infectivity. As well as direct animal-to-animal contact, it is also airborne and can be passed by humans, vehicles and equipment.
The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Britain was on the Isle of Wight in 1981. It was blamed on birds bringing the disease from the Continent.
The Ministry of Agriculture has advised farmers to take various practical steps to limit the spread of the latest outbreak.
These include:
- Cleaning boots in disinfectant
- Changing outdoor coats and overalls between trips to other farms and markets
- Washing the undersides of vehicles and their wheels in disinfectant
- Placing sleeping policemen made of straw bales soaked in disinfectant at all entrances to farms
- Erecting notices on public footpaths and seek advice from Highway Authorities regarding temporary closure
- Ceasing to move hay and straw between holdings
Farmers will receive 100% for infected animals or animals deemed to be dangerous contact, half of which is funded by European Union.
As soon as a suspected infection is notified, MAFF will place the farm under surveillance and place movement restrictions on all animals of susceptible species.
Movement restrictions will be imposed for 8km around any infected unit and vehicles entering and leaving farms may be controlled.