Hawaii Issues Alert Over Serious Animal Disease

For those of you who have ever watched one of the episodes of "All Creatures Great and Small", you may remember the devastation and despair created by foot  and mouth disease in the UK by this disease.  This disease is easily transmitted on footwear and clothing, and it has been diagnosed in Japan....one of the
US 's significant trading and tourism partners.......

Foot And Mouth Disease Outbreak In Japan
KITV.com
May 28, 2010

HONOLULU -- State veterinarian James Foppoli says an outbreak of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth disease in Japan is something travelers need to be aware of.

The disease affects animals like cattle, swine and, sheep, not humans. The virus however, can be easily transmitted through clothing and shoes. Unsuspecting travelers can transport the disease quickly.

"Because we get a lot of visitors from Japan, there is always a potential for movement by visitors to other locations because it is highly contagious," Foppoli said.

The current outbreak in Japan is in the Miyazaki Prefecture, in the Southern island of Kyushu.

"They have already euthanized some 35 thousand cattle and pigs, and they expect that to go up in the hundreds of thousands as they mobilize people in the field," said Foppoli.

The US department of agriculture has also now issued a ban on beef and pork products from Japan.

"We wouldn't want visitors to bring in any beef or pork products that are prohibited and we want to alert our ranchers if you get a tour group from Japan you might want to ask is anyone from Kyushu," said Foppoli.
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