Foot and Mouth
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. It also will affect goats, deer, and other cloven-hoofed animals. This disease is characterized by fever and blister-like lesions on the tongue and lips in the mouth, on the udders, and between the claws. Many affected animals usually recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated. It causes severe losses in the production of milk and meat. This disease spreads widely and rapidly and it carries with it grave economic and physical consequences. Because of these reasons, many livestock owners dread this disease. This disease is caused by a virus. This virus has the ability to remain viable in carcasses, in animal by-products, in water, in such materials as straw and bedding and even in the open pastures. There are seven different types and many subtypes of FMD virus. The animal s can become infected by one or more than one virus types at the same type. Recovered animals can suffer repeated attacks of the disease because immunity to one type does not protect against other types. FMD is spread by animals, people, and materials that bring the virus into physical contact with susceptible animals. Some of the +ca
v Cow is inseminated by semen from an infected bull Also people who have recently traveled from overseas are unable to go to the zoo until 48 hours after their return. Zoo officials fear that the disease would be given to the animals living within the zoo and the manner it would spread among other livestock. As a preventative measure, these travelers should avoid all contact with animals. Livestock farmers can start rebuilding their farms only after many months of "rigorous disinfections." The entire farm and the buildings must be disinfected for months. Northern Ireland canceled their annual parade because of the concerns of this disease. Other large gatherings have been canceled because of the fear of spreading this disease to other parts of the country. Slaughtering have already began throughout the country. Though the slaughter is an effective method to contain the disease as the carcasses are later burned, many people are protesting. Some do not see the point in killing the animals of uninfected farms adjacent to outbreaks. In Gloucestershine, England more than 100 protestors barricaded entry to a farm containing animals that have not yet contracted the disease (Leeman 1-2). Slaughter is the best method of controlling the disease. Foot-and-mouth disease can survive in the respiratory tract of infected animals and is easily transmitted to other livestock. If the disease is allowed to remain in the livestock, higher numbers will become increased and heighten the chances of a cycle of re-infection. Animals that are infected are no longer productive farm animals as some may be lame, milk and meat yields falls and conception rates fall as the increase of abortion is observed. British meat is still safe to buy. The British Farm Standard is the logo to look out for when considering buying British meat. The logo is from an independent company who sets their own standards.
Some common words found in the essay are:
, Symptoms FMD, Africa Asia, Farmer's Union, Agriculture Minister's, Devon England, Raisers Association, David King, School District, Association Americans, foot mouth, mouth disease, foot mouth disease, foot-and-mouth disease, infected animals, animals slaughtered, northern ireland, cloven-hoofed animals, april 2001, associated press april, susceptible animals, animals neighboring farms, infected meat, april 20 2001,
Approximate Word count = 2626
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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