Facts on foot-and-mouth disease(FMD)

Thu, 05/08/2008 11:03 AM  |  City

1. Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus.

2. It can tolerate a temperature range from freezing to 50 degrees Celsius.

3. It is harmless to humans once in the digestive tract.

4. The virus can be airborne, carried by humans, animals or vehicles coming into contact with it. However, it can be easily killed with disinfectant, which explains the vigorous checking at airports during an outbreak of the disease.

5. Based on the standard OIE procedure, once a sick animal is detected, immediate action has to be taken, including:

a. Slaughter of infected and FMD-susceptible animals;

b. Disinfection of the premises and all infected material including cars and clothes;

c. Cessation of animal movement across the protection zone;

d. Destruction of cadavers, litter and susceptible animal products in the infected area.

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