State veterinarian suggests foot-and-mouth disease precautions

Indianapolis, Ind. - 8/10/2007 - While the United Kingdom battles the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, veterinarians in the United States are urging additional precautions to keep the nation disease-free.

Indiana State Veterinarian Dr. Bret Marsh encourages livestock producers to be aware of risks and take proper measures to ensure safety.

"They need to be cognizant of who comes on and off their operations, that they continue to observe their animals, so if they see abnormal signs particularly with foot-and-mouth disease where there are blisters or vesicles on teats, on snouts of pigs, or the mouths of cattle, that if those are signs they see to be to call a veterinarian or the Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and we'll get help to the site to make a final determination," Marsh says. "It's a time to be particularly diligent, making sure we're watching those animals and aware of what's going on in our populations."

Anyone who has traveled outside the country and visited a livestock farm should stay away from livestock in the United States for seven days and ensure all clothing is properly laundered. Also, with the heat index reaching triple digits for many states over the next few days and weeks, livestock producers and pet owners need to act accordingly.

"Whether it's swine [be sure] the ventilation is properly taken care of in housing or there are ways for them to cool themselves, whether its pets, extreme caution about animal that are out in the open and don't have any shade or adequate water, make sure there are plenty of opportunities for them to stay cool," Marsh says.