Milford chronicle., 1947-02-07
THE MEXICAN
E NJ B A RCO
ON CATTLE
By MILT DEAN HILL

"
WASHINGTON. - The United
States is keeping sharp watch on
MexicO'S foot and mouth disease
epidemic. Further movement of
Mexican cattle into the u. s. will
be prohibited indefinitely.
-Four L. S. veterinary experts
are in Mexico helping the MeXi-
can government fight the disease.
Chairman Clifford Hope (R-kas.D
has Eamed House agriculture
subcommittee to work with the
Department OF Agriculture in
dealing with the threat of invasion
by the epidemic.
The Agriculture Department
stepped in to aid the Mexican gov
ernment after urgent appeals from
President Miguel Aleman.
First Epidemic Since 1929
The epidemic, reported spread
ing slowly north toward the L. S.
border, is the first to touch North
America since 1929 Herds in
Texas, California and other west
ern states were destroyed that
year. 1t cost the nation millions
of dollars to halt the epidemic.
The present epidemic came into
Mexico with 327 zebu 'Brahmal
bulls, brought up from Brazil hy'
private Importers
Animal imports from Brazil
or any country where the disease
exists-into the United States are
permanently prohibited.
Last June Secretary of Agricul-
ture Anderson closed the border
to Mexican cattle, sheep. hogs and
goats because of the threat of
foot and mouth disease. Five
months later the border was re-
opened. A joint l.. S.-Mexican
commission reported il could dis
cover no foot and mouth disease
in Mexico.
Then II Broke Out
Twelve days later, ranchers in
the Vera Cruz area, on Mexic0's
gulf coast, reported Sickenine of
cattle. In IL few weeks the epidemic
had spread west to near Mexico
City.
sanitation precautions, in addi-
tiOn to halting animals M the
border. have been set up by the
u. ). Bureau of Animal Industry
While they are hopeful, officials
here are not optimistic about keen
ing an epidemic away from border
herds.
Foot and mouth disease in the
most highly communicable con-
taglOn known to veterinary medi-
cine. 1t attacks clOven footed ami
cattle, primarily-but also
sheep, hogs and goats. Horses and
poultry apparently are immune
and humans are not affected.
Animals develop blisters in the
mouth and around the hooves
Veterinarians know no real cnro
A Greman scientist before the wa,.
claimed TO have perfected a vac
cine, but he has not been heard
from since the war.
Laboratories in Brazil and Great
Britain produce vaccine, but II
is expensive and not comnloto,v
effective.
Only Two Weapons
Agriculture authorities say tho
only two real methods of eradi~
cation are slaughter and uuaran-
tine. In each epidemic both meth
DDS are invoked immediately
The disease has appeared in tho
united States nine times since
1870. In 1870, 1880, 1902 and 1one
the epldemics were confined gen
orally to local areas.
In 1914 the disease snread 10
~ states and the District of 70,
tlumbia. An estimated 175.OOO cot
tie alone We're slaughtered .nd
burned or buried. anu
States affected included Nov
Hampshire, Massachusetts Pbo'o
Island, Connecticut. West VIZ
elnia' Kansas, Ohio, Micbioan
Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin III r.
lionis. Minnesota, Iowa. Montonn
and Washington.
That outbreak alone enc, a.,
nation about $4,000 600
Ten years later two outbrool,.
occurred in California and Toxnn "H
costing $4,000 900. In 1929 = cn,"I,
outbreak occurred in southern CaI;
fOrnia. N"li-
1he Bureau of Animal Industrv
IS IN charge of the campaion ~
Keep foot and mouth disa.so :"
OF the country. DR.. S. O. Flad,o "'
chief of the bureaus field io'H' insn@'
tion division, is foot and eU- n,a''',
GperlaliS!: a;aaaa ne mas studied the
d'Sease IN Argentina and Europe