The news of thousands of cattle, sheep and pigs being destroyed in the United Kingdom gives Coloradans some insight on how devastating a large outbreak of foot and mouth disease could be to the American farm and food industry, as well as to tourism and recreation industries. Among several risks to the United State's foot and mouth disease-free status are food items brought in by people returning from or visiting from a foreign country. A Colorado State University Cooperative Extension expert has some advice about how to keep foot and mouth disease out of the United States. Although humans can't get sick from foot and mouth disease, even if they eat food that is carrying the virus, they can easily spread the virus that causes it.
Food carrying the virus, for example, is a common instigator of an outbreak.
Humans can not catch foot and mouth disease, but they can mistakenly spread the disease very easily to animals through exposed food or on their clothing, shoes, vehicles, suitcases and other belongings. Food products meat and dairy items derived from an animal that has foot and mouth disease carries the virus for months. The virus also can survive and travel on almost anything shoe soles, car tires, pant cuffs, pets for several weeks. According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the virus can remain in the human nasal passage for as long as 28 hours and be spread to animals in close contact. The transport of food across national boarders, even if it is just some cheese or fruit tucked in a suitcase, is regulated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.