Indonesian authorities confirm that foot-and-mouth disease has spread to the holiday island of Bali.
The disease has so far been detected in 63 cows in three different places on the island, writes the Australian newspaper Perth Now.
It was in May that foot-and-mouth disease was first found among cattle in East Java in Indonesia. Well, 22 Indonesian provinces, as well as Bali, must be affected.
According to the newspaper, there will be a total of 230,000 confirmed cases.
Be aware of this
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease in domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals, and was first identified back in 1898. The disease can very rarely be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, writes National Institute of Public Health and at the same time states that the disease in humans will cause painful blisters in the mouth and on the hands.
Australian authorities are now being urged to introduce stricter protocols when entering the country.
– In my opinion, the risk (for the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease from Indonesia to Australia, journ.anm.) Is extremely high over the next one to six months, says the Australian veterinarian Ross Ainsworth to the newspaper.
Facts about foot-and-mouth disease
Ainsworth, who lives in Bali, has 40 years of experience in the Australian meat industry.
He is afraid Australian tourists, who are on holiday in Indonesia and on the holiday island, will take the infection back to their home country.
– Classified as serious
In Norway, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority handles foot-and-mouth disease.
Julie Enebo Grimstad, acting section manager in the animal health section of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, tells Dagbladet that travel and trade will always mean a certain danger of spreading different types of infection between humans and animals – and vice versa.
– In Norway, foot-and-mouth disease is a list 1 disease. This means that the disease is classified as very serious and must be fought with harsh measures. Suspicions and findings must be notified to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority immediately, says Grimstad.
In Norway, the first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in Sørlandet in the autumn of 1926. According to Large Norwegian encyclopedia (SNL) effectively fought, and ended after a year and a half.
Fell from hotel on holiday island – dead
In the 1950s, the disease attacked Denmark and Sweden, and then spread to the border districts of Norway. Cases were detected in some places in Østfold and Vestfold.
Animals that get the disease get painful, fluid-filled blisters on the tongue and mouthon the thin skin parts of the body – and between the openings on the hooves.
Also drooling, slight food allergy and inflammation with blisters, as well as paralysis, occur.
Can be transmitted through air
Grimstad tells Dagbladet that the most common route of infection is through contact between infected and susceptible animals, but that infection can also occur directly via milk, slaughter products and equipment.
– Tools, vehicles and people who have been in contact with infected animals or products can therefore transmit infection. Airborne infection is also possible, points out the acting section chief.
Hit by crisis – bustle of life
In 2001, the United Kingdom was hit by the last major epizootic, which resulted in a loss equivalent to 32 billion Norwegian kroner.
Epizootics are animal diseases that spread with great speed over large areas of land. The term corresponds to the epidemic in humans, according to SNL.
– The rule must be observed
Grimstad in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority explains that paragraphs 30, 31 and 32 of the Animal Health Regulations in Norway states that persons who have been in contact with cloven-hoofed animals abroad shall not have contact with cloven-hoofed animals at home in Norway until 48 hours have elapsed.
The boyfriend and girlfriend were tricked into walking around – dead
– During this time period, any viruses on the skin and clothing will lose their ability to transmit further. In addition, a season with warm temperatures and sunlight will help the virus to be deactivated faster.
Lise Marie Ånestad, head of cattle at the Veterinary Institute, tells Dagbladet that it is important that both tourists and Norwegians comply with the above rule.
At the same time, she states that the foot-and-mouth disease virus can survive for up to ten to twelve weeks on clothes under optimal conditions.
– Then it is usually wrapped in organic matter such as mucus or saliva. Otherwise, the virus can survive for one to two days in the nasal mucosa of humans.
Takes tourist action: – They are parasites
Ånestad says that footwear used in foreign animal husbandry, or in areas where foot-and-mouth disease is found, should not be used in Norwegian livestock herds.
The island of Bali in Indonesia has long been a well-known holiday paradise for Norwegian touristsand with its chalk-white beaches, azure seas and green palm trees has attracted people from all over the world.
As recently as 2019, the holiday island was visited by as many as six million tourists.
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