Foot, mouth disease marches westward

摘要

Animal health officials fear spread of virus. Animal health officials in Texas are watching with concern the relentless westward march of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the most recent outbreak of which was confirmed in late February at several sitesin England, where livestock operations already have been financially ravaged by the brainwasting disease, BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and outbreaks of the viral infection, hog cholera. Additional cases of FMD have been detected among cattle, sheep and swine in Great Britain (encompassing England, Wales and Scotland). In addition to the loss of thousands of animals, British farmers may lose as much as 73 million dollar just from the week-long ban (which could be extended) on the transport andmarketing of livestock susceptible to the disease.