Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a rapid developing, very highly communicable disease that occurs almost exclusively in cloven-footed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. FMD is characterized by suddenly appearing vesicles or blisters on the mouth, nose, feet and teats. The blisters quickly rupture to leave erosions or ulcers. Animals with mouth ulcers back off of feed and have excessive salivation. Due to sore feet, animals prefer to lie down. Animals with teat lesions are hard to milk and prone to mastitis. While few animals die, most do lose weight and drop off markedly in milk production. There are 7 recognized strains of FMD and it occurs worldwide. Occasional outbreaks of FMD occur in Europe. Canada and the United States are free of FMD. A 1967 FMD outbreak in the UK resulted in over 400,000 pigs being destroyed. The last FMD outbreak in the UK was in 1981.

FMD-free status insures free movement of livestock, milk and meat to overseas markets and freedom from artificial trade barriers.

In the UK on February 19th, a veterinary inspector noticed that pigs at the Cheale's slaughterhouse were lying down and reluctant to move. Closer inspection revealed blisters on their feet. Of 346 pigs, 28 had lesions of a vesicular disease. On that same day, a bull on the Cheale Farm with 32 other cattle near the slaughterhouse was also found to have the FMD-type lesions. The bull was thought to have been at the slaughterhouse. Within 5 hours of observing these classic signs of FMD, a livestock movement ban was placed in a 10-mile zone around the area.

Knowledge of and early recognition of foreign animals diseases are very important to control the spread of diseases such as FMD.

On February 20th, a diagnosis of FMD was confirmed. It was Type O, a "Pan Asian" strain first introduced into Europe in 1996. This strain had also been seen in recent years in Japan, South Korea, Africa, Mongolia and Russia. By February 21, the UK had banned the export of all meat, milk and livestock. In addition, the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore had banned the import of UK livestock products. At that time the UK had been exporting about 8 million pounds per week. That same day, the European Union also banned importation of all UK milk, meat and livestock.

With rapid modern transportation, diseases can move great distances in a short period of time.  When foreign animal diseases appear, other countries will quickly close their borders for importation causing great economic impact.

Two days later, a third outbreak of FMD was found in a group of 6 beef cows about 1.5 miles from the Cheale slaughterhouse and farm. It was thought that the wind had carried the virus from the Cheale farm this Brentwood farm.

In the early stages of the investigation into the source of the FMD outbreak, it was suspected that a truck that had brought pigs from Northern Ireland to the Cheale slaughterhouse may have brought in the FMD. Later study found this not to be true. However, it did stir up lots of confusion at the border between Northern Ireland and the UK.

When foreign animal diseases appear, all diseases with similar signs will cause confusion until a definite diagnosis is made.  We need to be prepared to deal with the confusion and make a rapid diagnosis.

On February 23rd, FMD was found on two more premises. The fourth outbreak was only 6 miles from Cheale's. The fifth location was a farm in Heddon-on-the-Wall. This swine operation often sent pigs to the Cheale slaughterhouse. Judging by the FMD lesions found on pigs at this location, the investigators felt that animals had been infected for 12-28 days prior to the initial discovery at Cheale's.

Failure of livestock owners and veterinarians to recognize foreign animal diseases will allow the disease to spread quickly to infect a large number of animals.  Hiding a disease will be very costly to the entire livestock population.

At this time, the UK started a "stamping-out" or destroying strategy, followed by incineration of the animals. They also asked hunters and hikers to restrict their movements and had postmen leave the mail at the gate to farms. Farm families were asked to stay home and not visit other farms.

On February 24th, animals on the Burnside Farm in Northumberland near the Heddon-on-the-Wall farm were found to have FMD. This farm was thought to be the initial source or index case for the outbreak. There were 500 pigs on the farm and the owner routinely sold to the Cheale slaughterhouse. This was a swill or garbage feeding operation that fed airline waste food from a nearby airport. This area of the UK was noted for having wild pigs.

Foreign animal disease agents may hook a ride in foods, on shoes or vehicle tires.  Uncooked meat items are very high risk sources of foreign animal disease agents.

At this time the French were becoming increasingly worried about the FMD outbreak in the UK as the prevailing winds blew from the UK across to France. In addition, they had imported nearly 50,000 UK sheep that had to be located and inspected. Germany had also imported nearly 3,500 sheep from the UK since January 20th. They decided to locate and destroy all these sheep to protect their livestock.

On the 24th, the UK banned all movement of livestock within the entire country. The British people began a buying panic at this as animals could not be taken to slaughter and they fear a shortage on meat products. This week-long ban cost the livestock industry an estimated 51 million BPS as there was no market for 47,000 prime cattle, 228,000 pigs and 323,000 sheep.

The next day, the seventh outbreak farm was found in Highampton, North Devon. This farm had 500 cattle and 1,500 sheep. About 50 cows were showing signs of FMD. This was one of 12 farms owned by a single company that frequently exported to Europe particularly France. This farm had links to Burnside farm, the sixth outbreak farm.

Integrated farming operations and common livestock carriers can greatly increase the chances of foreign animal spread.  In the US, we have both integrated livestock operation and common carriers going from farm to farm on a daily basis.  In many areas, livestock operations are located very close to each other.  Diseases could spread very quickly.

As the UK government began to consider the growing cost of eradicating FMD, it suggested that UK farmers should all be insured against major disease outbreaks such as FMD, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and swine fever. This stirred up the already burdened livestock industry.

On February 26th, outbreaks 8 - 12 were found and there were nearly 40 "suspect" farms being investigated. At the time of this writing, the FMD outbreak in the UK was ongoing with no real end in sight. Would you be prepared to deal with FMD if it broke out in the US?