European Commission and the member countries have initiated powerful measures to combat the disease and to stop its spread. As the situation is critical, it is the duty of travellers to be cautious. Should foot and mouth disease spread to Finland, it would cause enormous economical damage to cattle, pig and sheep industries and the foodstuffs industry. In the worst case, the trade of animal-origin products would end. Visits in animal farms and contact with hoofed animals always enteils a grave risk of spreading animal diseases, even in the absence of manifest disease on the farm.
Many countries have limited access to farms and certain countryside areas because the outbreak.
Having returned to Finland, take a sauna. As a disinfectant you may use diluted citric acid available from pharmacies. Do not visit premises where animals are kept for at least 48 hours. If you have visited the risk areas at the countryside, do not go to animal premises for five days. Importing animal-origin products from risk areas causes a serious risk of spreading foot and mouth disease.