USMEF Reminds Travelers of FMD Concerns
Published: Jan 27, 2011
With the serious Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in South Korea and other outbreaks around the globe, USMEF wants to take this occasion to remind U.S. travelers of the risks that this highly contagious viral disease poses to the agricultural community.
The United States has been FMD-free since 1929, and the meat industry works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that FMD is not introduced into the U.S. While the highly contagious viral disease can be spread through contaminated hay or feedstuffs and via respiration from an infected animal, it also can be spread through human clothing, footwear and other equipment and materials. Although not harmful to humans, the virus can remain active in human nasal passages for as long as 28 hours where it can be spread through the air, such as by sneezing.
While USMEF works with producer groups to arrange market visits to countries that have active FMD outbreaks, we remain acutely aware of the risks and ensure that all participants exercise appropriate caution.
Travelers also are reminded to note on their customs documents if they have visited a country that is not FMD-free. This type of self-reporting is critical in ensuring the continued safety of U.S. agriculture from this highly contagious virus.
Following are useful guidelines that the National Pork Board has developed both for Americans traveling abroad as well as U.S. producers hosting international visitors.
The United States has been FMD-free since 1929, and the meat industry works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that FMD is not introduced into the U.S. While the highly contagious viral disease can be spread through contaminated hay or feedstuffs and via respiration from an infected animal, it also can be spread through human clothing, footwear and other equipment and materials. Although not harmful to humans, the virus can remain active in human nasal passages for as long as 28 hours where it can be spread through the air, such as by sneezing.
While USMEF works with producer groups to arrange market visits to countries that have active FMD outbreaks, we remain acutely aware of the risks and ensure that all participants exercise appropriate caution.
Travelers also are reminded to note on their customs documents if they have visited a country that is not FMD-free. This type of self-reporting is critical in ensuring the continued safety of U.S. agriculture from this highly contagious virus.
Following are useful guidelines that the National Pork Board has developed both for Americans traveling abroad as well as U.S. producers hosting international visitors.
With the serious Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in South Korea and other outbreaks around the globe, USMEF wants to take this occasion to remind U.S. travelers of the risks that this highly contagious viral disease poses to the agricultural community.
The United States has been FMD-free since 1929, and the meat industry works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that FMD is not introduced into the U.S. While the highly contagious viral disease can be spread through contaminated hay or feedstuffs and via respiration from an infected animal, it also can be spread through human clothing, footwear and other equipment and materials. Although not harmful to humans, the virus can remain active in human nasal passages for as long as 28 hours where it can be spread through the air, such as by sneezing.
While USMEF works with producer groups to arrange market visits to countries that have active FMD outbreaks, we remain acutely aware of the risks and ensure that all participants exercise appropriate caution.
Travelers also are reminded to note on their customs documents if they have visited a country that is not FMD-free. This type of self-reporting is critical in ensuring the continued safety of U.S. agriculture from this highly contagious virus.
Following are useful guidelines that the National Pork Board has developed both for Americans traveling abroad as well as U.S. producers hosting international visitors.
The United States has been FMD-free since 1929, and the meat industry works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that FMD is not introduced into the U.S. While the highly contagious viral disease can be spread through contaminated hay or feedstuffs and via respiration from an infected animal, it also can be spread through human clothing, footwear and other equipment and materials. Although not harmful to humans, the virus can remain active in human nasal passages for as long as 28 hours where it can be spread through the air, such as by sneezing.
While USMEF works with producer groups to arrange market visits to countries that have active FMD outbreaks, we remain acutely aware of the risks and ensure that all participants exercise appropriate caution.
Travelers also are reminded to note on their customs documents if they have visited a country that is not FMD-free. This type of self-reporting is critical in ensuring the continued safety of U.S. agriculture from this highly contagious virus.
Following are useful guidelines that the National Pork Board has developed both for Americans traveling abroad as well as U.S. producers hosting international visitors.