Australia's Fmd-Free Status: Fact Or Fiction?

Australia is currently free of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly infectious and contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. However, FMD was detected in Bali, Indonesia in July 2022, and the threat of the disease entering Australia has increased significantly. The Australian government is working closely with the Indonesian government and industry on a biosecurity support program to help control the spread of FMD. The government has also implemented increased international border measures for passengers and goods arriving from Indonesia, and is boosting biosecurity education and awareness among Australians.

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Australia is currently free of FMD

Australia is currently free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, FMD has been detected in Indonesia, including in Bali, and the threat of the disease entering Australia has increased significantly. FMD is one of Australia's greatest biosecurity risks, and an outbreak would have devastating consequences for the country's livestock and associated industries, resulting in international trade losses, market disruptions, animal health impacts, and production losses. The Australian government is taking several measures to combat and contain the disease, including increased international border measures for passengers and goods arriving from Indonesia, boosting biosecurity education, and working with the Indonesian government to control the spread of FMD.

FMD is a highly infectious and contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, buffalo, camels, alpaca, llama, and deer. While many affected animals may survive FMD, they often take a long time to recover and may not regain their full productivity. Surviving animals can also become carriers of the virus. The signs of FMD vary depending on the species infected and the strain of the virus, but typically include blisters in the mouth, nostrils, teats, and on the skin between and above the hooves. In sheep, the signs are often mild and difficult to detect, with lameness being one of the only indications.

The Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) outlines Australia's FMD control and eradication strategy. This plan aims to eradicate the disease in the shortest possible time while minimizing socio-economic impacts in the event of an outbreak. Early detection is crucial to the successful eradication of FMD, and livestock owners are encouraged to remain vigilant for signs or suspicion of the disease and report them immediately to a veterinarian.

To prevent the introduction of FMD into Australia, people travelling from infected countries should ensure that their footwear, clothing, and equipment are free of mud and animal manure, and they should avoid contact with livestock for seven days after arrival. It is also important to be aware of the symptoms of FMD and to report any suspected cases immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline. By maintaining high standards of biosecurity and staying vigilant, Australia aims to protect its livestock industries and prevent the devastating impacts of an FMD outbreak.

FMD was detected in Bali, Indonesia

Australia is currently free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, FMD was detected in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2022. The disease has mainly been detected in cattle and smallholder farms, which form 90% of Indonesia's cattle industry. As of 4 August 2022, it had spread to 23 of Indonesia's 37 provinces, including Bali, a popular destination for Australian tourists.

The Indonesian government has been working to control the outbreak, with a nationwide rollout of vaccinations beginning in mid-June. They have also restricted the movement of livestock with the help of the police and the army and launched a campaign to educate farmers on the risks of FMD. As of 4 August, just over 992,000 livestock have been vaccinated, 7,702 animals have been slaughtered, and 4,847 have died.

The Australian government has committed A$5 million (US$3.46 million) to support Indonesia's response and help mitigate the spread to nearby countries. Enhanced biosecurity controls have been put in place at Indonesia's borders, particularly in Bali, including disinfectant foot mats for departing passengers and awareness-raising materials. The Australian government is also working to strengthen its biosecurity measures to prevent the disease from entering the country.

The detection of FMD in Bali has raised concerns in the Australian livestock sector due to the highly contagious nature of the disease and the potential impact on Australia's AU$32 billion annual export market for livestock products. However, experts advise that the risk of an outbreak in Australia remains low, and early signs indicate that the Indonesian outbreak is coming under control.

The Australian government is working to control the spread of FMD in Indonesia

Australia is currently free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the Australian government is taking active measures to prevent an outbreak in the country. In May 2022, an FMD outbreak was reported in Indonesia, which is Australia's closest major neighbour. The Australian government has confirmed that cases of FMD have been detected in Bali, Indonesia.

The Australian government is working with the Indonesian government to control the spread of FMD in Indonesia. The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, met with Indonesia's Agriculture Minister, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and vowed to support Indonesia's efforts to contain the spread of the outbreak. Australia will send one million FMD vaccines to Indonesia and provide a funding package worth 500,000 Australian dollars to Meat and Livestock Australia to work with Indonesian feedlots and share expertise. The Australian government has also committed to investing in new, long-term biosecurity investments to protect Australia from exotic diseases. This includes extra frontline biosecurity officers, the redeployment of detection dogs to northern airports, and the introduction of sanitation foot mats at all international airports with flights from Indonesia.

The Australian government has also provided funding to various organizations to support Indonesia's efforts to control the spread of FMD. This includes $1.1 million to Meat & Livestock Australia for the Indonesia Biosecurity Support Project, $1.2 million to LiveCorp to support FMD vaccination of animals in buffer zones, and $1.7 million to help build laboratory proficiency testing programs in Indonesia. The government has also provided $1.2 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization to deliver a technical support initiative in Indonesia and is training over 100 Indonesian quarantine officers.

The Australian government is also working to enhance technical expertise in Indonesia to combat FMD. The government has kicked off a new $1.4 million capacity-enhancing project in Indonesia, providing Australian expertise to assist in the fight against FMD. A departmental veterinary officer will be seconded to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) office in Indonesia to provide a ready conduit between Indonesian and Australian experts. The project will improve the ability to detect, control and prevent FMD in Indonesia and strengthen the capacity of national and local governments to arrest the further spread of the disease.

The Australian government has a response plan in the event of an FMD outbreak

Australia is currently free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the Australian government has a response plan in the event of an FMD outbreak.

The Australian government has committed to long-term sustainable biosecurity funding to bolster the country's ability to respond to exotic biosecurity threats, such as FMD. The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) works with state and territory governments to undertake targeted surveillance activities for exotic animal and plant pests and diseases. NAQS also raises public awareness through the Indigenous ranger network to support the early detection of exotic pests and diseases.

In the event of an FMD outbreak, the Australian government has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place, which outlines a national coordination framework to ensure close integration of responsibilities and actions within and across jurisdictions. This includes the recognition that livestock industries will have an important contribution to the national response. The MOU also outlines cost-sharing arrangements between the government and signatory industries, such as the use of the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN).

The AUSVETPLAN outlines the roles and responsibilities of participants in an FMD outbreak response. It includes strategies such as stopping the movement of all susceptible livestock for an initial period of 72 hours to allow time to assess the situation, tracing and surveillance to identify infected animals, and decontamination of facilities, products, equipment, and objects known or thought to be contaminated.

The Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD), chaired by Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, will convene in the event of an outbreak. It consists of chief veterinary officers from each jurisdiction, representatives from affected industries, and the CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

The Australian government conducts exercises to validate and strengthen its biosecurity emergency preparedness and response arrangements, ensuring a strong capability to respond to current and emerging biosecurity threats.

FMD could enter Australia via infected travellers

Australia is currently free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, FMD has been detected in Bali, Indonesia, and there are concerns that it could reach Australia via infected travellers. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. An outbreak of FMD in Australia would have devastating consequences for the country's livestock industries and the wider community, leading to losses in meat and milk production, cessation of trade, and the potential slaughter of many animals to control the disease.

The Australian government is working closely with the Indonesian government to control the spread of FMD and prevent it from reaching Australia. Returning travellers from Indonesia are being asked to take incoming passenger cards seriously and follow biosecurity measures. The government has also announced a range of new measures, including the presence of a biosecurity officer on flights coming from Indonesia and increased biosecurity surveillance at airports.

FMD spreads between animals through their breath, contact with blisters, and infected milk, semen, faeces, and urine. The virus can remain infectious in the environment for long periods and can survive on surfaces like boot leather and rubber boots for several weeks. Therefore, travellers to Australia are advised to clean and disinfect their clothing and equipment if they have been in contact with animals, animal waste, or soil.

To prevent the spread of FMD, it is essential for travellers to follow biosecurity measures and declare any contact with livestock or visits to rural areas when entering Australia. Good biosecurity practices and early detection are crucial to reducing the potential impact of FMD if it were to arrive in Australia. The Australian government has also outlined the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) Disease Strategy – Foot-and-mouth disease, which details the country's FMD control and eradication strategy.

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