The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), one of USDA's agencies, vigilantly and continuously monitors for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) worldwide. Whenever FMD outbreaks occur, APHIS initiates regulatory action to prohibit the importation of live ruminants and swine and many animal products from FMD-affected countries.

In response to the FMD outbreak among some European Union member countries, APHIS has taken the extra precautionary step of temporarily restricting the importation of live ruminants and swine and their products from all European Union member states.

Due to the recent increase in FMD-affected areas around the world, APHIS officials are on heightened alert at U.S. land and maritime ports of entry to ensure that passengers, luggage, cargo and mail are checked for prohibited agricultural products or other items that could carry FMD. Among other measures, additional inspectors and dog teams have been placed at airports to check incoming flights and passengers.

APHIS prohibits travelers from carrying into the United States any agricultural products that could spread FMD and other harmful agricultural pests and diseases.

Accordingly, passengers must declare all food items and other material of plant or animal origin in their possession. They must also report visits to farms or other livestock facilities. Failure to declare any items may result in delays and fines of up to $1,000. Individuals traveling from European Union countries or other countries considered to be FMD-affected must have their shoes disinfected if they have visited farms or other high risk areas.

Imported machinery and materials that are at risk for FMD contamination, such as used farm equipment, must be cleaned and disinfected prior to entry into the United States. APHIS also works with the U.S. Armed Forces to ensure the cleaning and disinfection of military vehicles and equipment prior to entry into the United States.

As part of its FMD public education campaign, APHIS is also disseminating information about the disease to USDA partners in industry and in state and local organizations in the United States. The agency has posted additional advisory signs in airports, broadcasted public service announcements, and established an information hotline and Web site to inform the public about this important issue and steps they can take to prevent FMD from entering the United States. APHIS is also working closely with the air transportation and travel industries to raise awareness among travelers and airline passengers and crew about the risk of inadvertently spreading FMD.

In addition, federal and state animal health officials have alerted private veterinarians to ensure heightened monitoring of domestic livestock for FMD. APHIS has an FMD response plan in the event the disease is detected in the United States.

SOURCE: USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service