Media release no.
Agriculture Western Australia has received many enquires from farmers, worried about the risk of people entering the State from the UK or Europe. Dr Edwards said although there was always a risk of any disease entering Australia, it would be more difficult for the FMD to becoming established in WA than Europe, as it survives best in cool, damp conditions. He said the UK and Europe were not the only FMD risks to Australia, with more than 50 countries around the world also having had the disease in recent years, including South East Asia. Visitors can also ensure they are not an FMD risk by keeping away from infected areas, washing clothes and cleaning footwear and travelling equipment and not handling susceptible livestock for a week after their return. In the event of a FMD outbreak in WA, a State and National emergency response plan would be activated to eradicate the disease.