RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT GROUP ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

The Committee reviewed the recommendations made to the Minister last week and agreed that they are still appropriate.

The Committee expressed concerns about reports of variable compliance with disinfection measures in the farming community and recommend that approved disinfection protocols be rigidly adhered to.

Surveillance of livestock for suspect signs is crucial to the early identification and control of the disease. This applies especially along the east coast, given the possibility of airborne spread from Britain.

Appropriate methods of consulting with the important stakeholders in the FMD problem (farming organisations, Veterinary Ireland, etc.) should be developed in order to achieve maximal compliance with disease control measures.

In light of the fact that the disease is now present in the country, the Committee believes that management of the risk of spread of the disease is the appropriate approach and the Committee has co-opted additional expertise in this field.

The Committee has agreed on methodology for assessing the risks versus the benefits of taking those risks, outside of FMD controlled areas. All measures in the FMD contingency plan for Ireland will apply in controlled areas.

Each request made to the Committee will be assessed using the risk management methodology mentioned above and recommendations will be made to the Minister.

The Committee will continue its work tomorrow.

22 March, 2001

Attached also are the original recommendations of the Expert Group.

ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT GROUP IN RELATION TO FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE CONTROLS

INTRODUCTION

An expert group was established by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on March 9th to consider the range of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) controls now in place and to advise on the appropriateness of adapting them to developments as they occur. The group held its first meeting on March 12th, 2001.

The group acknowledged the extraordinary efforts made by the general public, business, sporting and voluntary organisations to play their part in preventing the potential spread of the disease. It also accepted that it was timely to review the epidemiological information available and assess the risks posed by a range of sporting and other events.

FMD continues to spread in an alarming way in the United Kingdom and the disease has now been confirmed in France.

Animal movements and the movement of people and vehicles/equipment associated with animals pose the highest risk of introduction and spread of FMD. Susceptible animals can produce hundreds of millions of virus particles per day while affected with FMD, even while incubating the disease and appearing healthy. Infected animals excrete virus in exhaled air, in saliva, in milk, in semen, in faeces, in urine and in ruptured vesicle fluid. In this way the clothes, skin, hands, hair, and footwear of people working with, or in close proximity to, susceptible animals can become heavily contaminated with virus particles. This heavy contamination on clothes, footwear etc. can lead to direct infection of other susceptible animals by the contaminated person or indirect contamination of other people who then have contact with and infect susceptible animals. In addition people coming into contact with infected animals may harbour, and exhale the virus for a number of days.

The necessity for strict compliance with the national and EU control measures already in place cannot be over-emphasised and ports, airports and border crossings must continue to be effectively policed.

Animal movement controls must remain in force and strict biosecurity measures must continue to be employed by all persons engaged in the livestock industry.

2. GUIDELINES FOR HIGHEST RISK GROUPS

Farmers, vets, hauliers, and all those in the agribusiness sector, along with people from restricted areas, represent the highest risk groups and must continue to accept the greatest responsibility for the prevention of the spread of FMD:

All farms and agribusiness premises must have properly maintained disinfection facilities (using DAFRD approved protocols).

Under no circumstances should work clothes and boots be worn off the premises and foot wear and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected when leaving the premises.

After working with susceptible animals* individuals must wash their hands with hot water and soap (with particular attention to fingernails) and are encouraged to shower where possible.

Meetings/events involving persons from the highest risk groups should not take place unless it is critical that they do so, and then only if the organisers can ensure full compliance with these guidelines.

3. ADDITIONAL MEASURES FOR THE CONTROL OF FMD

Based on a scientific review of FMD the following recommendations have been made by the group. These recommendations refer only to events taking place outside a controlled area. If there is evidence that the disease has spread to the Republic of Ireland, these recommendations will change.

Events have been classified into categories with low risk of spread of FMD (Category 1) and those which present greater risk (Categories 2 and 3). The existing legal controls on events in controlled areas should continue to apply.

CATEGORY 1

This category includes gatherings of people in defined locations with no access to agricultural land or susceptible livestock. Associated parking areas should also not be accessible to susceptible livestock.

Provided routine disinfection procedures are adhered to, these events carry a minimal risk of virus spread and should be allowed to proceed.

Organisers should provide appropriate disease control notices and disinfection facilities.

In addition, those in highest risk groups attending such events must follow the guidelines outlined in paragraph 2 (GUIDELINES FOR HIGHEST RISK GROUPS).

Organisers of events likely to attract persons in high risk categories should ensure compliance by those attending with the guidelines outlined in paragraph 2 (GUIDELINES FOR HIGHEST RISK GROUPS ).

Typical examples of Category 1 events would include indoor meetings, conferences, cinema/theatre, weddings, indoor sporting events, etc.

CATEGORY 2

Outdoor events which take place on land and involve people only.

(i) If susceptible animals have accessed this land since February 1st, such venues should not be used until further notice.

(ii) If no susceptible animals have accessed the land since February 1st, activities may proceed provided the organisers can ensure full compliance with these guidelines below.

Organisers should provide appropriate disease control notices and disinfection facilities.

In addition, those in highest risk groups attending such events must follow the guidelines outlined in paragraph 2 (GUIDELINES FOR HIGHEST RISK GROUPS ).

Organisers of events likely to attract persons in high risk categories should ensure compliance by those attending with the guidelines outlined in paragraph 2 (GUIDELINES FOR HIGHEST RISK GROUPS ).

This category (in particular (i) above) will be reviewed at the end of March in light of the FMD situation at that time. Events in this Category should not take place within a restricted zone.

Typical examples of Category 2 events would include outdoor sporting events such as Gaelic Football, Hurling, Rugby, Soccer, Golf etc.

CATEGORY 3

Events which involve animals. The recommended restrictions on events involving animals should continue to apply.

Typical examples of category 3 events would include horse racing, showjumping, greyhound racing and livestock shows.

The only exceptions to this rule are events exclusively involving domestic pets that do not have access to farmland or susceptible species. These events can proceed as per Category 1.

4. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES BY INDIVIDUALS

There should be no access to agricultural land to which susceptible animals may have had access, until further notice.

Public areas/parks which do not have access for susceptible species may be opened to the public. However, existing legal controls on such activities in controlled areas should continue to apply.

5. TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE UK AND OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE FMD INFECTION HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

Unnecessary travel to the UK and other FMD infected areas should not take place.

Persons who require to travel to the UK or other FMD infected areas should not visit farms or have contact with livestock and should comply with all DAFRD recommendations on their return.

Visitors from the UK and other FMD infected areas should be discouraged from travelling to Ireland, especially those that may have had any contact with susceptible species.

Organisers of events should ensure that they do not seek to attract residents from the UK or other FMD infected areas to the event.

However, if it is essential for persons from the UK or other FMD infected areas to visit Ireland the following code of practice must be adhered to.

Before travelling the visitor must:

Disinfect** all footwear to be used during the visit.

Assemble clothes for the visit which have had no possible contact with farm stock.

Shower with plenty of hot water and soap not forgetting to wash the hair and nails.

Ensure that luggage to be used is wiped down with an appropriate approved disinfectant.

Not bring any foodstuff of animal origin.

When entering the country observe the disinfection procedures at ports and border crossings.

Travel directly to the meeting venue and avoid any contact with susceptible animals and agricultural land.

* Susceptible species are cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.

** A list of approved disinfectants is available from local District Veterinary Offices, Teagasc Offices, the DAFRD website (www.irlgov.ie/daff) and MAFF.

March 15th, 2001

Document last modified on: 22/3/2001