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Foot and Mouth Disease
Foot and Mouth Disease - Information for Travellers
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle
and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed
ruminants. FMD is not a
significant threat to human health.
Canada, with its vast natural resources, has an economy largely based on
agriculture (includes plants and animals), forestry and fisheries. If an
outbreak occurred in Canada, the FMD virus could spread rapidly to all parts
of the country through routine livestock movements. Unless detected early and
eradicated immediately, losses could reach billions of dollars in the first
year.
Animals, people or materials can spread FMD. An outbreak can occur when:
- People wearing contaminated clothes or footwear, or using contaminated
equipment, pass the virus to susceptible animals.
- Animals carrying the virus are introduced into susceptible herds.
- Contaminated facilities and vehicles are used to hold and move susceptible
animals.
- Meat or animal products infected with the virus or raw or improperly cooked
food waste containing infected meat or animal products are fed to susceptible
animals.
- Susceptible animals are exposed to contaminated materials such as hay,
feed, water, semen or biologics.
What can the Canadian public do to help prevent the spread of this
disease to Canada?
Canada Border Services Agency officials are increasing the surveillance of
passengers and baggage arriving on international flights. The Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) requests that travellers take the following
precautions.
If you travel, when you return to Canada:
- Declare all meat, dairy or other animal products that you are bringing back
to Canada.
- Avoid visiting farms in countries infected by FMD. If you visited a farm while abroad make
sure that the clothing and footwear you wore during your visit are free from
soil or manure. Clean and disinfect your footwear. Dry cleaning of clothes is
recommended.
- Avoid contact with susceptible animals, including farm animals, zoo animals
and wildlife in national or provincial parks, for 5 days after returning to
Canada.
- Although domestic pets are not susceptible to FMD, the same precautions are recommended
for pets if you are returning from a country infected by FMD. A thorough washing with shampoo or soap
and water is sufficient.
If you farm in Canada:
- Prevent farm or ranch visits by anyone who has been to countries infected
by FMD in the last 5 days.
Although humans are not susceptible to FMD, they can serve as carriers.
- If you are returning to your farm after visiting a country infected by
FMD, the suggested
precautions should be strictly followed.
- If visitors must come to the farm they should take additional sanitary
precautions such as washing and disinfecting all personal effects and equipment
that have accompanied them. It is particularly important to clean and disinfect
footwear.
Please contact Canada Border Service Agency officers or CFIA inspectors for further
information: call 1-877-227-0677 or visit the CFIA website at
www.inspection.gc.ca.
April 2001
P2018E-01
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