Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most contagious infectious disease of livestock in the world. Fortunately, the U.S. has not had an outbreak since 1929. However, numerous countries that were previously free of FMD have experienced outbreaks in recent years and it is important for producers to be vigilant. U.S. cattlemen and women have a tremendous responsibility—and opportunity—to protect their cattle in the event of an FMD outbreak.
Eradication of FMD, should it occur in the U.S., is the ultimate goal of disease response efforts. However, the old approach to FMD response—massive depopulation—is no longer workable except in a small outbreak. The size, structure, efficiency, and extensive movement in cattle production will likely require additional response options to manage disease spread, such as vaccination and allowing animals to recover.
In an FMD outbreak, livestock operations are likely to be subject to movement controls. Livestock producers are encouraged to work with their veterinarian to develop contingency plans to maintain animal welfare during periods of no-animal movement.
Officials will likely require a National Premises Identification Number (PremID or PIN) prior to issuing a permit to move cattle and producers are strongly encouraged to identify their operation in this manner prior to an outbreak. Producers who haven’t already done so can request a PremID from the office of their state animal health official to facilitate movement requests during an outbreak.
The Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan was established to help producers and veterinarians prepare for an FMD outbreak by providing guidance for cattle operations with no evidence of FMD infection to maintain animal and product movement.
The SBS Plan is a science- and risk-based business continuity plan funded by the USDA and developed in collaboration with industry, including many cattlemen and women, government officials, and veterinarians at Iowa State University and Kansas State University. Participation in the SBS Plan is voluntary and provides producers and their veterinarians tools to assist in employing key business continuity strategies.
In the event of an FMD outbreak, it is the livestock producer’s responsibility to keep animals from becoming infected. A veterinarian is the crucial link to facilitate preparedness and implementation of additional biosecurity measures for individual operations. FMD requires enhanced measures (vs. day-to-day biosecurity) based on potential infection routes for FMD. The SBS Plan provides tools to aid livestock owners and veterinarians in development of operation-specific enhanced biosecurity plans to keep disease off their operations.
In the event of an FMD outbreak, cattle will need to be monitored daily for signs of FMD and livestock owners need to understand how to document and promptly report any unusual findings. Using the resources provided in the SBS Plan, producers can partner with their veterinarian to learn to recognize abnormal production parameters or clinical signs that may indicate early FMD infection. To learn more about the SBS Plan, visit www.securebeef.org. — Reneй Dewell, DVM, MS, and Molly Lee, DVM, MPH, Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University
