Eradicated from the U.S. in 1929, FMD is one of the greatest disease threats that the industry faces. The economic impact of reintroduction of FMD in the U.S. would be devastating, not just for the livestock industry but for the economy, Barton said.
“We have been lucky, but my biggest fear is our luck is running out,” Barton said. “In my opinion, it is going to come in one of two ways – accidental or intentional.”
What is the risk?
Barton pointed out that frequent travelers run the risk of spreading the FMD. Humans can harbor the virus in the respiratory tract, mostly in the nares and the nasal passages for at least one to two days and in some cases up to 12 days. It is important travelers that come in contact with cattle outside of the U.S. maintain a five-day quarantine before entering a livestock facility in the U.S.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has numerous interceptions of uncooked meat and meat products coming from countries that don’t uphold U.S. standards, Barton said.
In 2001 the United Kingdom had a severe outbreak of FMD, killing millions of cattle, sheep and pigs before they got a handle on it. It was introduced from uncooked meat that was brought in on an airline flight and fed to pigs.
“It is scary. It wouldn’t take very long for FMD to spread,” Barton said.
Although the USDA has classified the risk associated with importation of meat products from some regions of Brazil as low, their risk analysis acknowledges an ongoing risk of the reintroduction of FMD from adjacent areas into the export region, which could then potentially enter the U.S., Barton said. Their proposal is based off the assumption that the 14 states of Brazil were considered free of FMD at the time of the audit; however, these states are spread across the country. There are some geographical barriers in some areas and in other areas there is no prevention from a contaminated animal crossing the border.
Economic effect
David Anderson, a professor and extension economist at Texas A&M University, also disagrees with the USDA’s recent proposal. Anderson said his biggest worry is Brazil’s inspection procedures.
“We have done such a good job for all these years, and certainly trading in beef from countries with FMD worries me,” he said. “If the system is too lax and is not capable, then obviously there could be the chance of introducing FMD into the U.S.”
Anderson also mentioned the economic risk involved with the disease. He said if an outbreak were to occur, every country would shut off exports from the U.S.
This would decrease cattle prices drastically, he said. Even in operations that weren’t affected they would have to depopulate the herd.
“If it were up to me, I don’t think I would allow it,” Anderson said.
Barton also mentioned the potential risk of FMD entering the U.S. through agroterrorism.
“It wouldn’t be very hard to do,” he said. “Our world would end as we know it.”
Word of caution
It is important producers take precaution. A vaccine can be used to control an outbreak, but it won’t eliminate an outbreak. Barton said the vaccine won’t prevent the animal from getting the disease; it just prevents them from getting the clinical signs. Barton said there is a vaccine available, but there is no need to vaccinate for FMD in the U.S. as of now.
In a case where there is an outbreak of FMD, the vaccine has to be specific for the subtype and serotype of the virus. A sample has to be taken from the infected animal and tested to find the subtype and serotype. The type is then sent to a vaccine manufacture, and then a specific vaccine is manufactured for that subtype and serotype of the virus. The vaccine has to be generated specific to the incident that the producer is dealing with at that time, Barton said.
Barton encourages producers to do the following to safeguard their operation:
- Set up biosecurity protocols to protect the premises from outside influences whether it is disease or people coming onto the property without permission.
- Limit access to the facility through signage or gates.
- Official ID and good records will enhance traceability if there is an outbreak.
- Watch for clinical signs, excessive salivation, and lameness and report it to a veterinarian.
- If traveling outside of the U.S. and have exposure to meat products, strictly adhere to the five-day ban.
Producers should report any signs of FMD, Barton said. Any animal with divided hooves can be a recipient to the disease. Typically the clinical signs include fever, blisters on the tongue and lips, in and around the mouth, and on the mammary glands and around the hooves. These vesicles look like water-filled blisters and will burst and develop to erosions.
Though it isn’t a deadly virus, it is highly contagious and causes losses in production. Since it can spread widely and rapidly, it can have a huge economic impact, Barton said.
“It hasn’t been here in the U.S. since 1929, but it will be back someday. It will be 'Did it come back accidentally or did it come back intentionally?' So we need to be prepared for it,” Barton said. 
