Australia Raises Its FMD Alert

.
.
(Australian Agriculture Ministry)

Australia has come under the threat of foot and mouth disease after traces of the disease were detected from goods coming into the country this week. 

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said viral fragments of foot and mouth disease were detected in meat products that entered Australia recently from Indonesia and China. Those viral fragments are not live and cannot be transmitted, he said.

“We have detected foot and mouth disease and African swine fever viral fragments in a small number of pork products for sale in the Melbourne CBD that were imported from China,” Watt said.

“In addition to this a passenger travelling from Indonesia has in recent days been intercepted with a beef product that they didn’t declare which tested positive for foot and mouth disease viral fragments," he said.

As part of the Australian Government’s response to the spread of animal diseases in the region, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has increased its surveillance and testing of meat and other animal products, both at the border and through targeted checking of retail outlets.

Some pork products have been removed from supermarket shelves after viral fragments of both foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) were detected during testing.

Due to the outbreak of the disease in Indonesia, travelers arriving in Australia from Indonesia will now be required to walk across sanitation foot mats at airports.  The mats will contain a citric acid solution designed to dislodge any dirt from the sole of the shoe and cover it in the acid.

Australian government officials said a positive case of foot and mouth on an Australian farm could shutter the $27 billion livestock export trade. The government estimates the total cost of a major outbreak at $80 billion.

Despite the recent findings, Australia remains foot and mouth disease-free, according to Watt.

 

Latest News

New Regulations Proposed by FDA for Animal Drug Labeling
New Regulations Proposed by FDA for Animal Drug Labeling

New rules would provide animal drug sponsors with predictable requirements for the labeling of prescription and over-the-counter new animal drugs, as well as new animal drugs for use in animal feeds

Calf-Raising Success is All in the Details
Calf-Raising Success is All in the Details

Raising a heifer from newborn up to 20-plus months until she becomes a productive milk cow is more important than ever. Dairy producers are increasingly looking to heifer growers to lend a helping hand with the process.

Who “Nose” When a Calf is Getting Sick?
Who “Nose” When a Calf is Getting Sick?

If you want to stay ahead of calf health and catch sickness in its earliest stage, University of Minnesota Graduate Student Abbigail Prins offers a handy detection tip.

7 Ways To Prioritize Employee Retention
7 Ways To Prioritize Employee Retention

Want to keep your valued team players? Learning how to avoid these frustrating and deal-breaking mistakes can help.

Aggie Serves As Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Veterinarian For 21st Year
Aggie Serves As Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Veterinarian For 21st Year

Professor at Texas A&M's Large Animal Teaching Hospital leads a team of volunteers in caring for the 18,000 livestock animals at the annual event.

DT_Dairy_Udder_Parlor_Teats
NMC Webinar Addresses Feeding Trace Minerals to Enhance Udder Health

By participating in this educational offer, you can gain a better understanding of the role trace minerals play in immunity and udder health.