Illinois ready for foot-and-mouth

April 18, 2001

BY MARK SKERTIC STAFF REPORTER

Illinois is ready to quarantine farms, kill livestock and burn their carcasses, and set up "hot zones" with restricted access if foot-and-mouth disease is discovered here.

The epidemic has already devastated the livestock industry in Europe, and U.S. agriculture officials have been bracing for the reappearance of the virus that hasn't been seen in this country since the early part of the 20th century.

"We've got to get the running gears in place today, to be ready," said Richard Hull, state veterinarian at the Illinois Agriculture Department.

The last severe outbreak locally was at the Chicago Stockyards in 1914, and it's been about 70 years since the disease was seen in the United States, federal officials said. But Europe's inability to check the virus' spread has many experts worried foot-and-mouth may return.

The U.S. Agriculture Department has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency--the same agency that prepares for tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters--to plan for the possibility.

The livestock industry pumps $3.4 billion into Illinois' economy annually. An unchecked outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, sometimes called hoof-and-mouth, could severely damage the state's economy.

State agriculture officials have refined a plan to limit the disease's spread. They've talked with other states, including neighboring Indiana and Wisconsin, to ensure early warning systems are in place. Dairy and other farmers with livestock have been warned of the dangers and told to take precautions.

If a cow, pig or other animal with the disease is discovered, the farm and a three-mile radius around it will be declared a "hot zone." The herd will be destroyed and, depending on the water table, either burned or buried.

Strategic vaccinations may be given to other animals within the zone, which can be extended if other infected animals are found. Entry by people into the area will be severely restricted.

"They would only move out through tight security, and have to change clothes and shower and have no access to livestock," Hull said.

Seven miles around the edge of the hot zone will be the "buffer zone," an area where a permit would be needed to move livestock in or out.

After 14 days, animals susceptible to the virus will be brought into the hot zone, and officials will wait another two weeks to see if those animals develop the disease. If not, the area will be declared safe.

The dimensions of the zones can be altered if a subdivision or interstate cuts through them, Hull said, explaining that the plan isn't to keep people from their homes--only away from livestock.

"We might still use checkpoints," he said. "We'll use reason and do a risk assessment in determining where the lines should go."

***

DISEASE BASICS

What is it?

Foot-and-mouth disease, also sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease, can cause fever, loss of appetite and dramatic drops in weight in cloven-hoofed animals. Discharge from blisters that develop on the animals' mouth, hoofs and udders is one way the disease spreads. It can kill young animals and leave older ones weak and sterile.

Who gets it?

Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer and elk are among the animals that suffer from the disease. People, horses and dogs are among the animals that usually can carry and transmit the virus, but won't suffer its effects.

How is it stopped?

Vaccinations can attack a strain, but because there are multiple strains and sub-strains, vaccinations alone can't control the disease. Infected animals and their herds are slaughtered and the remains burned or buried. Infected farms are also quarantined to control the virus' spread.

Mark Skertic

Illinois ready to slaughter livestock at first sighting of foot and mouth

-- (A mind is a terrible thing@2 waste.com), April 20, 2001

Answers

And remember!

Think no Ham, no sausage, no bacon, no chops, no pork ribs.

Think no hamburger, no steak, no beef ribs.

Think no milk - what is cereal without it?.

Think no butter.

Think no candy - tallow is one of the main ingredients.

Think no cheese.

Think no sour cream.

Think about powdered milk disapearing from store shelves as soon as this concept grabs hold!

Think about it!

-- (A mind is a terrible thing@2 waste.com), April 20, 2001.

where's there's smoke there's usually fire!!!

SOOO just how IN CONTROL is=MAN???

-- al-d (dogs@zianet.com), April 21, 2001.

SOOO just how IN CONTROL is=MAN???

-- al-d (dogs@zianet.com), April 21, 2001.

apparently more in control than you are with your keyboard al, please stop typing like a moron. iT Is v=ery HaRd to ?rea=d.

-- hey al (get_a_grip@dot.com), April 22, 2001.

Got preps? Plan A and plan B?

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), April 22, 2001.

Got beef?

Anyone remember the lil ol lady from Wendy's who use to say "Where's the beef?" she was too cool.

I wont drink powdered milk, EVER. Hops down off powdered milk box.

-- sumer (shh@aol.con), April 22, 2001.