Contact: Tom Oswald, University Relations(517) 355-2281
The recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is having a devastating impact on Great Britain and is putting other western European nations on high alert. What are the chances of it showing up in the United States? What are some of the other consequences of this disease?
Following are several MSU experts who can address these issues.
CAN FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE FIND ITS WAY TO AMERICA? -- WHO: John C. Baker, associate dean for research, College of Veterinary Medicine.-- WHAT HE SAYS: "We're dealing with a virus that has a survivability of up to nine weeks on clothing. It can come in on a lot of meat products. The way air travel is today, someone could be on a farm in Great Britain and in a short time be on a farm in Michigan."-- BACKGROUND: Expert on viral diseases of cattle; worked at USDA's Plum Island facility studying and researching foot-and-mouth disease.-- CONTACT INFORMATION: (517) 432-2388; [email protected].
-- WHO: Lonnie King, dean of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine; professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences.-- WHAT HE SAYS: "The good news is most people who travel do not go to farms and do not return to farms in the United States. That reduces the risk somewhat. I think we're doing more to prevent this from happening here. If this were to occur here, it would be a multibillion problem."-- BACKGROUND: Former director of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; member of a National Academy of Sciences panel studying food safety.-- CONTACT INFORMATION: (517) 355-6509; [email protected].
HOW DOES FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE AFFECT FAMILIES WHOSE HERDS ARE INFECTED?-- WHO: Robert Griffore, professor of Family and Child Ecology.-- WHAT HE SAYS: "These situations cause major stress, strain and conflict to the farm ecosystem. When this happens, governments focus on eradication of the disease. Eventually they get around to family considerations."-- BACKGROUND: Has conducted research on the effect Michigan's bovine tuberculosis outbreak has had on farm families.-- CONTACT INFORMATION: (517) 432-3818; [email protected].
WHY IS THIS GETTING SO MUCH ATTENTION? IS THIS A "NEW" DISEASE?-- WHO: Daniel L. Grooms, assistant professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.-- WHAT HE SAYS: "This is not a new problem. It's in South America, Asia, Africa and some eastern European countries. But now that it's in some western countries we're taking notice, and that's a good thing."-- BACKGROUND: Expert in the control and prevention of bovine infectious diseases.-- CONTACT INFORMATION: (517) 432-1494; [email protected].
WILL THE UNITED STATES BAN ON IMPORTING LIVESTOCK AND FRESH MEAT FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AFFECT MEAT PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES?-- WHO: Paul H. Coe, associate professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.-- WHAT HE SAYS: "We did import some beef from those countries. We will not be importing it now. Will it have an impact on beef price in this country? As long as these diseases stay out of this country, no."-- BACKGROUND: Expertise in herd health management for beef cattle.-- CONTACT INFORMATION: (517) 353-5129; [email protected].
###
RSS