Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD)

The Disease

 

Geographical Location of the Disease

 

Signs of the Disease

 

Transmission of the Disease

 

Control of the Disease

 

Useful Web Addresses

 

Telephone Hotline

 

BHS Statement

 

DEFRA Recommendations

The Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect all cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, water buffalo, deer, bison, antelope, reindeer, llamas, chamois, alpacas, vicunas, giraffes, elephants, elk, camels).  Horses/Ponies cannot catch Foot & Mouth but can carry the virus on hair, hooves, tack etc.  Hence restrictions on their movement.

It is often necessary to conduct wholesale slaughter of animals wherever there is an outbreak. Animals from an area not declared free of the disease may not be moved to other locations or used in trade except as processed food subjected to high temperatures. 

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Geographical Location of the Disease

There have been recent Foot and Mouth outbreaks in the following countries:

Africa (Swaziland), Greece, Middle East (Israel), Asia, South America (Brazil, Uruguay).

Signs of the Disease

Foot and Mouth disease is characterised by the formation of fluid filled blisters that quickly grow to about 3 cm in diameter. They are seen in the mouth, nose, teats and feet. The blisters usually burst leaving a raw surface, they heal after a few days.

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Transmission of the Disease

Foot and Mouth disease infects animals via inhalation, ingestion and through reproduction.  The most common way the disease is transmitted is by direct contact.  The disease can be carried by the wind.

Movement of infected animals is the most important method of spread between herds. Other sources of infection include contaminated vehicles, equipment, people and products.

The highest risk of entry of Foot and Mouth is through imports of susceptible live animals, contaminated meat or dairy products from infected countries.

Control of the Disease

The disease can be controlled by putting infected areas into quarantine, restricting movement

Inactivated vaccines have been successfully used in many parts of the world. Vaccinated animals are protected against the disease but not totally resistant and can still become infected and spread  the virus. Resistance falls fairly quickly, so animals must be revaccinated every 4-6 months.

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Useful web addresses:

Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

Telephone Hotline: 0845 050 4141

Countryside Council of Wales (CCW)

(online maps providing up-to-date information about which paths are open following FMD)

European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Farmers Weekly Interactive

Farming Online

Farming UK

Federation of American Scientists

Food Standards Agency

Horse & Hound/Country Life Online Forum

National Farmers Union

The Moredun Foundation for Animal Health & Welfare

Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise helpline to help rural businesses survive the foot & mouth outbreak.  Tel no: 0845 300 0157 (open 8am to midnight)

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BHS Statement

"The BHS has been advising horse owners since the first very first case of foot and mouth not to hack out on bridleways, common land, or moorland, and to stay away from roads in rural areas. Although the movement order does not apply to horses, the BHS advise that horse owners should not transport their horses anywhere, and is asking those holding events to postpone them until the situation is more stable.

Please note:

Horses cannot get the disease, and they are not “carriers” of the disease in the medical sense.  

Horses would NOT have to be slaughtered on an infected farm.  However, they would probably have to be confined for several months, because they can transmit it via their hooves, just as humans can on their boots or cars on their tyres.

PRECAUTIONS HORSE OWNERS CAN TAKE

The situation concerning foot and mouth is very fluid at the moment, and we should all be taking every precaution to prevent the spread of the disease.  Once the outbreak is contained, and we can be certain which areas are free of it, then we may reconsider this advice.

The BHS is advising horse owners not to hack out on bridleways, common land, or moorland, and to stay away from roads in rural areas.

Although the movement order does not apply to horses, the BHS advise that horse owners should not transport their horses anywhere at the moment.

The BHS is also asking those holding events to postpone them until the situation is more stable.

There is no reason why farriers and feed merchants cannot visit yards that only have horses on site, but vehicles should be disinfected or left at the gate.

This advice is given in the belief that all horse owners will want to do everything possible to help stop Foot and Mouth spreading.  Obviously, we cannot force this view on anyone and people will have to make their own decisions.  However, if you do decide to move your horse, PLEASE - at VERY LEAST - follow the MAFF advice below, agreed at the Industry Meeting.

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MAFF Recommendations

Recommendations for responsible use of horses in a Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak.

1. Horses cant be infected with the FMD virus and are not covered by the FMD control restrictions.

2. The FMD virus can be spread mechanically by contaminated equipment, vehicles or distributed on the feet of horses or riders.

3. To reduce any risk of such indirect spread of virus by the equestrian community, stringent hygiene precautions are essential:

4. Strict hygiene precautions must include:

   On leaving the premises, pick out feet and clean thoroughly.  Disinfect feet with a suitable, MAFF approved disinfectant, safe to come into contact with skin.  The process should be repeated whenever horses return.

   Rider's boots should be cleaned and dipped in disinfectant before and after riding.

   Particular attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfecting vehicle wheels.

5. If horses are to be moved, they must be effectively segregated for at least 14 days from all susceptible livestock.  In particular, there should be no sharing of farmyards, grazing, housing, other buildings, equipment or personnel.  If they cannot be effectively segregated, they should not be moved.

6. When away from home, owners must ensure that all horses avoid land where susceptible animals graze, or have been kept.

7. Whenever horses are moved, they must only be transported in thoroughly cleaned and disinfected (with a MAFF approved disinfectant), dedicated equine transport.

8. ALL UNNECESSARY MOVEMENT SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

9. Where horses are kept on premises with other susceptible livestock:

Comply with farmer's own disease precautions, including only leaving the premises in clean clothes.

Recommendations for event organisers

1. Cancel all activities planned on or close to land where susceptible livestock have recently been grazing.

2. Follow advice from your local MAFF DVM ring 0845 0504141) as to whether or not the event or show is or is likely to be situated in an infected area and should take place.

3. Ensure that the protocol above is followed by all entering the venue.

4. Provide only one combined entrance and exit and ensure that all vehicles travel over a disinfectant soaked straw bed or suitable equivalent.

5. Only horses and pedestrians should be allowed onto the venue.  Dogs and other animals should not be allowed to enter.

6. All horses should be lead over a MAFF approved disinfectant soaked straw bed immediately after unloading at the venue and before leaving.

7. All pedestrians should be required to clean and disinfect footwear on arrival at and departure from the venue.

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