Foot and Mouth has been absent from U.S. since 1929

Posted 5/9/01

Foot and Mouth has been absent from U.S. since 1929

Foot and Mouth Disease is endemic in many parts of the world, but North America is one of the few areas in the world known to be free of the disease.

No cases have been reported in the U.S. since 1929, and no cases have been reported in North America since the 1950s.

In order to keep this destructive disease out of North America, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and State Veterinarian Dr. Thomas Hagerty ask overseas travelers to take the following precautions:

Avoid going to any farm, zoo or other animal facility in countries with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

If you do visit such an area, avoid all farms, zoos and other animal facilities in America for at least seven days upon your return.
Make sure all clothing ó including shoes and jackets ó is thoroughly washed or dry cleaned upon returning to the U.S. from an FMD country.
If you have relatives visiting America from a foreign country, avoid farms and zoos for a minimum of seven days upon arrival.

Travlers returning from a country with FMD should listen and adhere to all precautionary instructions given by airline staff on overseas flights.
It is also imperative to follow all U.S. Department of Agriculuture policies at ports of entry ó this means declaring whether you have been on a farm or other animal facility in a country with FMD, and declaring any meat products you may be carrying in from another country.