Florida Tries to Keep Foot-and-Mouth Out
F O R T P I E R C E, Fla., March 30 -- Every day thousands of foreign tourists pour into Florida, many of them from countries in Europe and South America where there have been outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.
Florida has 25 international airports and seaports. State officials say they're counting on customs checks to keep foot-and-mouth from getting in.
The state's biggest agricultural industry is citrus. But the state also has a $2 billion-a-year cattle industry that could be threatened if the highly contagious livestock disease gets in.
"At this stage, what we are planning to do is try to get more inspectors at ports of entry, which would be our first line of defense," says Caesar Ruiz, a state veterinarian.
Inspectors ask incoming tourists whether they live on or have visited farms in their home countries, and whether they are carrying any meat.
The questioning has a potential flaw: it is only as effective as the honesty of the people who are screened.
Customs inspectors also seek to ensure that food refuse from international flights is specially disposed of. They stop imported used farm equipment at ports and, if necessary, disinfect it.
One British tourist was impressed with Florida's efforts. "It's more thorough than what most countries are doing. I travel quite a bit since the outbreak and it's quite thorough, actually," she said.
Animal Attractions
Some of Florida's zoos and theme parks are also taking some extraordinary precautions.
At Busch Gardens in Tampa, people who have recently been in a country with foot-and-mouth disease are banned from tours that could put them into contact with susceptible animals.
Florida farmers are also being careful. Mike Adams, whose family has owned a ranch near Fort Pierce for 50 years, says he is confident that foot-and-mouth disease can be kept out of Florida.
Still, he worries. "No question, it would be devastating. If we lose our cattle herd, we lose our livelihood."
The Adams offer daily tours of their ranch. Now they are asking visitors from countries where the disease has been found to stay away.
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