Americans urged not to take
meat, dairy products out of U.K.By Ron Jensen
U.K. bureau
RAF
MILDENHALL, England — American military personnel who live in the United Kingdom or
visit it are being asked not to take any meat or dairy products from the island.
The country
is battling an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, which can easily spread across borders
in food or even mud on shoes or vehicles.
The U.S.
European Command customs executive agency is cautioning military members and civilians to
be aware of the ease in which the disease can be transported beyond Great Britain.
"The
main thing is, we want people traveling to the U.K. to not bring any meat or dairy
products back with them when they leave the country," said Robert Szostek, a
spokesman for the agency in Mannheim, Germany.
Personnel
stationed in the U.K. also should not carry meat or dairy products out of the country,
Szostek said.
Foot and
mouth disease, also known as hoof and mouth disease, is caused by a virus that travels in
the air, fluids that leak from blisters, feces and urine. It typically affects
cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep and pigs, but it also can infect deer, horses
and camels.
The disease
was first spotted last week in England and has now been identified at 12 locations around
the country. One farm is 15 miles from the U.S. base RAF Croughton. Another is in Stroud,
about 20 miles from RAF Fairford.
Farmers
have killed and burned thousands of pigs in an attempt to eradicate the disease while
officials try to discover how it entered the country and if it has been exported. Although
it is generally not fatal, it can reduce milk output in dairy cattle and cause lameness in
affected animals.
The
Ministry of Agriculture has placed a one-week ban on livestock movement, meaning farmers
cannot sell their animals. Also, animal parks and zoos were closed, along with national
parks.
Humans
cannot contract the disease, so there is little, if any, risk to people. However, they can
carry it from one place to another.
"You
should also stay away from livestock farms," Szostek said. Mud on shoes or vehicles
also can carry the disease.
He said
products such as sausages, meat pies, cheese, butter, yogurt and milk should not be taken
from the island. Also, dog owners should keep their pets under control if they are located
near the affected areas because dogs could unknowingly transport the virus.
The United
States has been free of the disease since 1929. The U.K. last had an outbreak more than 30
years ago and had considered itself free of the disease until last week.
Back to February's stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
Home |
