Disease Prevention

Guidelines for U.S.

Livestock Shows,

Agricultural Fairs, and

Other AgricultureRelated Events 

The increasing number of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks worldwide highlights the many

dangers associated with foreign animal diseases.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

(APHIS), working in conjunction with its State and

industry partners since 1929, has effectively safeguarded U.S. livestock resources from FMD. In

response to the recent outbreaks of FMD in Europe,

South America, and elsewhere around the world,

APHIS has taken additional precautionary measures

to further ensure that FMD does not spread to the

United States. These precautionary efforts are 

supported and augmented by the strong 

safeguarding system APHIS has in place to monitor

for and respond to any foreign animal disease detections across the country.

In general, because the risk of disease 

transmission can increase whenever large numbers

of animals and people interact at shows, fairs, and

other events, APHIS needs the continued assistance

of event organizers to help prevent the spread of animal disease. Especially at this time, event organizers

need to be aware that humans can carry the FMD

virus on their clothing, shoes, bodies (particularly the

throat and nasal passages), and personal items.

FMD is extremely contagious and spreads easily

among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep,

pigs, goats, and deer. Introduction of FMD into the

United States would be disastrous to the American

livestock industry and could also impact susceptible

wildlife populations.

For these reasons, APHIS suggests that 

agricultural event planners follow several guidelines

to minimize any risk of disease spread from animal to

animal, or human to animal, at the event site:

• Require veterinary exams of all animals 

participating or being shown in the event to 

ensure that only healthy animals are exhibited.

• Advise event attendees who have been on a farm

in an FMD- affected country within the last 5 

days to avoid animal exhibits and any other inter

action with animals at the event.

• Implement and practice effective biosecurity 

measures at the event site, including 

discouraging visitors (through the use of fencing, 

signs, and monitors) from touching or petting 

exhibited animals, except at designated petting 

exhibits.

• Prohibit the public from eating and drinking in 

animal exhibit areas, and prevent the public from 

feeding human food to animals.

• Ensure that an accredited veterinarian routinely 

inspects animals for clinical signs of FMD 

throughout the duration of the event. Clinical 

signs include blisters or vesicles in or on the 

mouths, tongues, gums, hooves, and feet of 

infected animals.

• Advise producers and owners to isolate their 

animals for a minimum of 5 days after the event 

and consult with their veterinarian on proper 

ways of reintroducing the animals into 

established herds or flocks.

Veterinarians should immediately report any 

suspicious symptoms to APHIS and State officials.

APHIS, working in conjunction with private veterinary

practitioners and other animal health cooperators,

thoroughly investigates all possible foreign animal

disease detections. APHIS can respond immediately

if an emergency situation arises.

For more information, event organizers may wish

to contact APHIS’ Emergency Operations Center

(AEOC). AEOC has been on heightened alert

because of recent FMD detections around the world.

Officials staffing AEOC can answer any 

questions event organizers may have about the precautions that should be taken against FMD. AEOC’s

toll-free telephone number is (800) 601-9327.

In addition, event organizers may also wish to

contact APHIS’ Area Veterinarian in Charge for their

State or the appropriate State Veterinarian for more

information. Contact information for APHIS’ Area

Veterinarian in Charge for a particular State can be

obtained by accessing APHIS’ Web site at

www.aphis.usda.gov. Once connected to the site,

click on the animal health heading under the 

functions title. The ensuing page contains a link in

the upper right-hand corner of the page to a 

complete listing of area APHIS offices.

Factsheet

Veterinary Services February 2002

APHIS
For Further Information Contact:

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services

Emergency Programs

4700 River Road, Unit 41

Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1231

Telephone: (301) 734-8073

Fax: (301) 734-7817

APHIS Emergency Operations Center

Telephone: (800) 601-9327

e-mail: emoc@aphis.usda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.