Foot and Mouth Disease

Industry Advisory 

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March 26, 2001

Washington Cattle Prodcuers,

There has been considerable media coverage surrounding foreign animal disease in cattle abroad over the past few weeks. While there is NO Foot & Mouth Disease or Mad Cow Disease in the United States, there are steps that every producer can take to prevent the introduction and spread of foreign animal diseases.

TEN SIMPLE STEPS Producers Can Take to Prevent the Introduction and Spread

of Foreign Animal Diseases

1. Restrict access to your livestock or facilities by any person who has traveled outside the U.S. in the last 5 days.
   
2. Clean and disinfect any clothing, possessions, equipment, or vehicles that have traveled outside the U.S. within the last 5 days before those items are used in contact with your livestock or facilities.
   
3. Before allowing them to enter your operation, encourage people who regularly visit other livestock operations to clean and disinfect their footwear, coveralls, vehicle tires, and any equipment that might contaminate susceptible livestock.
   
4. Require livestock and feedstuff haulers to clean and disinfect their transport vehicles before hauling livestock or feedstuffs to or from your operation.
   
5. Be even more vigilant than usual about cleaning and disinfecting your processing and handling facilities and animal health equipment. Use different equipment for healthy and sick animals.
   
6. Source feedstuffs and biological supplies from reputable companies and require assurance that all feeds and animal health supplies are free from contamination.
   
7. Insist on herd of origin and health information on all animals and pets before allowing to enter your premises.
   
8. Prevent contact between health animals and those suffering from routine illnesses to protect the immune levels of your herd. Isolate new stock for 2 weeks for observation. Feed, water and treat healthy animals before working with sick animals.
   
9. Continue to closely monitor the health of your livestock daily and report any suspicious or unusual symptoms to your veterinarian immediately.
   
10. Control wildlife access to your facilities and livestock, including birds, deer, elk, and other wild animals. Implement an effective rodent, fly and other insect control program.
    
    

Thank you for your careful attention to this matter,

Ed Field, President, Washington Cattle Feeders Association

Vic Jensen, President, Washington State Dairy Federation

Neil Kayser, President, Washington Cattlemen's Association

Alexis Koester, Chair, Washington Dairy Products Commission

Casey Lankhaar, Chair, Washington State Beef Commission

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USDA Press Release on Foot and Mouth Disease 

An informative brochure about Foot and Mouth Disease is available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/brofmd.pdf

For information on how to clean clothing and materials that may have been exposed, see: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/travinfo.html