So Much For Bio-Security
John Smith | 12.09.2007 11:31
The outbreak today of suspected foot and mouth in Egham has already shown a lapse in bio-security.The BBC news helicopter arrived at the scene of the outbreak at the same time a police van was entering the farm.As the helicopter moved around no disinfectant of the police van was carried out,contrary to Defra's instructions,see below.The van then left after about 15 minutes again without disinfection.
Spread of disease
The virus is present in great quantity in the fluid from the blisters, and it can also occur in the saliva, milk and dung. Contamination of any objects with any of these discharges is a danger to other stock. At the height of the disease, virus is present in the blood and all parts of the body. Heat, sunlight and disinfectants will destroy the virus, whereas cold and darkness tend to keep it alive. Under favourable conditions it can survive for long periods.
Airborne spread of the virus can take place and under favourable climatic conditions the disease may be spread several miles by this route. Animals pick up the virus either by direct contact with an infected animal, or by contact with foodstuffs or other things which have been contaminated by such an animal, or by eating or coming into contact with some part of an infected carcase.
Foot-and-mouth disease is extremely infectious. A very small quantity of the virus is capable of infecting an animal, and it is easy to realise how rapidly the disease could spread throughout the country if no attempt were made to control it.
Trucks, lorries, market places, and loading ramps - in or over which infected animals have travelled - are dangerous until disinfected. Roads may also become contaminated, and virus may be picked up and carried on the wheels of passing vehicles.
The boots, clothing, and hands of a stockman who has attended diseased animals can spread the disease: and dogs, cats, poultry, wild game and vermin may also carry infection. Further information on the 2001 FMD outbreak.
Disease prevention
In countries like Great Britain, where the disease arises only as the result of imported infection, the accepted policy is to stamp it out by slaughtering all affected stock and any others which have been exposed to such risk of infection that it is reasonably certain that they would develop the disease if left alive. Full compensation is paid for animals slaughtered.
Disinfection of the infected premises takes place. In addition to this, Defra imposes restrictions on the movement of animals within and into an area which extends for a radius of not less than 10 kilometres around the infected place, and no movement of animals out of this area is permitted. In exceptional circumstances restrictions have to be imposed over a much wider area.
Spread of disease
The virus is present in great quantity in the fluid from the blisters, and it can also occur in the saliva, milk and dung. Contamination of any objects with any of these discharges is a danger to other stock. At the height of the disease, virus is present in the blood and all parts of the body. Heat, sunlight and disinfectants will destroy the virus, whereas cold and darkness tend to keep it alive. Under favourable conditions it can survive for long periods.
Airborne spread of the virus can take place and under favourable climatic conditions the disease may be spread several miles by this route. Animals pick up the virus either by direct contact with an infected animal, or by contact with foodstuffs or other things which have been contaminated by such an animal, or by eating or coming into contact with some part of an infected carcase.
Foot-and-mouth disease is extremely infectious. A very small quantity of the virus is capable of infecting an animal, and it is easy to realise how rapidly the disease could spread throughout the country if no attempt were made to control it.
Trucks, lorries, market places, and loading ramps - in or over which infected animals have travelled - are dangerous until disinfected. Roads may also become contaminated, and virus may be picked up and carried on the wheels of passing vehicles.
The boots, clothing, and hands of a stockman who has attended diseased animals can spread the disease: and dogs, cats, poultry, wild game and vermin may also carry infection. Further information on the 2001 FMD outbreak.
Disease prevention
In countries like Great Britain, where the disease arises only as the result of imported infection, the accepted policy is to stamp it out by slaughtering all affected stock and any others which have been exposed to such risk of infection that it is reasonably certain that they would develop the disease if left alive. Full compensation is paid for animals slaughtered.
Disinfection of the infected premises takes place. In addition to this, Defra imposes restrictions on the movement of animals within and into an area which extends for a radius of not less than 10 kilometres around the infected place, and no movement of animals out of this area is permitted. In exceptional circumstances restrictions have to be imposed over a much wider area.
John Smith
