Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Foot and mouth disease

In September 2007 cases of foot and mouth were confirmed in Surrey, Windsor and Maidenhead. There have been no further confirmed cases of the disease since 30 September and on 31 December the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs lifted all restrictions which had been placed around infected premises.

What is Foot and mouth disease?

Foot and mouth disease is an acute infectious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer. Other ruminants including some zoo animals, elephants and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuna) can also be affected. Foot and mouth disease causes fever, followed by the development of blisters chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. The disease is caused by one of seven types of virus, each of which produces similar signs.

Foot and mouth disease poses no risk to human health according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

How is Foot and mouth disease spread?  

The virus is found in the fluid from blisters, and can also occur in saliva, milk and dung. If any object is contaminated with this discharge it is a danger to other stock. At the height of the disease, the virus is also present in the blood. Infected animals excrete the virus a few days before showing signs of the disease. Pigs in particular produce large numbers of virus particles.

The disease can be spread by:

• Air - under certain weather conditions the virus can spread considerable distances
• Infected animals - direct contact, as well as contact with contaminated foodstuffs, bedding, equipment and other objects
• Carcasses - through contact with an infected carcass
• Movement of contaminated animals and people
• Trucks, lorries, market places and loading ramps that infected animals have travelled over.

Can people contract the disease?

Advice from the Department of Health is that this is very rare. There has only been one recorded case of foot and mouth disease in a human being in Great Britain and that was in 1966. The general effects of the disease in that case were similar to influenza with some blisters. It is a mild short-lived, self-limiting disease. The Food Standards Agency have advised that the disease in animals has no implications for the human food chain.

There is, however, a human condition called hand, foot and mouth disease, which is unrelated. It does not affect animals. If you are concerned, you should contact your GP.

Access to land and the countryside

The countryside remains open. However, rights of way and access land within the infected premises may be closed where it is considered that they pose a risk. We have learnt the lessons of the experience of the 2001 outbreak and would not close down the countryside if it is not justified by the disease risk. There is a balance to be struck between the need to control the disease and the need to enable the public to have continued access to the countryside and rights of way for exercise, recreation, and just getting from A to B. Therefore any decision to close land over which there is a public right of way, or where there is public open space or a right of access to open country, will only be taken only when it is clearly necessary to do so.

You should however, apply common sense precautions that are standard practice in most areas of the countryside:

• Do not stray from the right of way onto grazing land
• Avoid walking amongst livestock
• Never touch or handle livestock
• Keep dogs on a lead where there may be livestock (cattle, in particular, are curious and may approach dogs)
• Take any waste, including food, home
• Use any disinfectant footpads or baths which the landowner provides.

Hunting and shooting

As of 12 October 2007 the following pursuits are permitted within the Restricted Zone in England:

• Hunting - any drag or other trail
• Stalking
• Shooting deer.

If, when taking part in these pursuits, you will leave or will return to a premises on which there are animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease, you must comply with the conditions of the licence.

Parks and visitor attractions

Some parks, safari parks and other wildlife centres may have taken the decision to close or restrict access. However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)and Department for Culture Media and Sports advice is that this course of action is unnecessary.

Horse movements

There are now no restrictions on the movement of horses.

Dog walking

The movement restrictions did not apply to pet animals that are not susceptible to the Foot and mouth virus. However, dogs and other pets and animals who exercise outdoors may carry infection by physical contamination. DEFRA advises that dogs should be kept on a lead where there may be livestock, and if possible avoid walking them close to livestock. If a premises is under suspicion of infection, dogs must be shut in or otherwise confined.

Information for farmers

DEFRA has launched a new campaign with the aim of helping farmers in the fight against animal disease. ‘Give Disease the Boot’ aims to provide farmers with necessary information about how to prevent animal disease. It also highlights the importance of vigilance to spot signs of disease – from bird flu to Bluetongue.

The campaign emphasises that monitoring animals and following good farming practices can reduce the risk of disease and prevent the spread of disease during an outbreak. For more information and advice visit the Give Disease the Boot website.