British visitors are asked to launder all clothes if they have been in an affected area at home, to leave mud stained shoes at home and in some cases seal their clothes in a plastic bag after they arrive here and buy new clothes for the ranch. Some operators are even asking guests to observe a five-day waiting period in the United States before coming to the ranch, adding to travel costs and meaning that some people have to cancel their trips and forgo the fun of hayrides, horseback riding and cookouts. A typical visit to a dude ranch lasts one week. We need to disseminate information. Some are still working ranches, but even on those where the hardest chore is saddling up a horse there are dangers because they are probably next to ranches.
Most people have cattle or their neighbors have cattle.
The disease cripples pigs, cattle, sheep and goats for months, and sharply reduces milk and meat production. Some dude ranches have soaked mats with vinegar, which is believed to kill the disease, and make sure guests walk over them, Futterer said. Ranches can't do much checking, but they are asking visitors to sign papers, saying they understand the risk and promising they have complied with the rules. Dude ranch owners are hoping their rooms will be filled by U.S. guests this summer. Copyright 2000, Reuters News Service.