Ministry of Agriculture: Foot and mouth disease statement: There is no risk in meat consumption

MELTEM GÜNEŞ / ANKARA - Foot and mouth disease , which affects large animal populations such as cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats, has raised alarm in Turkey after Eid al-Adha. The decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to close all animal markets indefinitely in order to prevent the spread of the disease has caused concern. According to the statements of the ministry, a new serotype of the disease has been detected and the vaccine developed against this serotype has begun to be applied in the field.

The ministry announced that vaccination efforts are continuing rapidly and that measures will be gradually lifted after all animals are vaccinated. The statement, which emphasized that the measures taken do not threaten Turkey's food supply security in any way, said, "No disruption is expected in the supply of animal food, especially meat and dairy products. Our current stocks and production infrastructure are at a level that will meet this process. We are closely following the process in all its details."

CAN MEAT BE CONSUMED?

The ministry statement included the statement, “There is no risk in consuming red meat and it can be consumed safely.” Turkish Veterinary Association Central Council President (TVHB) Ali Eroğlu stated that foot and mouth disease is highly contagious and spreads rapidly, and said, “This disease progresses with high fever, loss of appetite and painful wounds especially in the mouth and feet in animals. These symptoms cause serious decreases in both meat and milk yield. Losses between 30 % and 70% can be experienced especially in milk production. This threatens both food safety and causes major economic losses in the animal production sector. The long treatment stages of the process and the length of the animals’ recovery process show that economic losses are not limited to production, but also negatively affect labor, treatment costs and animal welfare.”

THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNISTS

Nihat Çelik, the General President of the Central Union of Breeding Sheep and Goat Breeders of Turkey (TÜDKİYEB), said, “Animals that contract foot and mouth disease lose weight because they cannot eat enough feed due to the difficulties in eating and drinking due to the disease. This means a decrease in meat yield. We do not think there will be an increase in meat prices. However, as always, some opportunists may increase the price of meat by using foot and mouth disease as an excuse. Very good inspections should be carried out on this issue and the most severe penalties should be given.”

Regarding the economic loss that producers may experience, Çelik said, “The most important factor affecting economic loss is feed costs. Since diseased animals lose weight, the breeder will have to feed more feed to compensate for this loss.”

IS IT TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS?

TVHB President Eroğlu said that foot and mouth disease is a disease that is rarely transmitted to humans, and added, “It does not pose a direct threat to humans. However, the virus can be transmitted through contaminated milk and direct contact. In humans, mild flu-like symptoms may occur as a result of such transmission. Such a situation is extremely rare and does not pose a major risk to public health.”

HOW LONG DOES THE VIRUS LIVE IN WHICH ENVIRONMENT?

Foot and mouth disease virus is a virus that is quite resistant to environmental conditions. It can survive in dry animal manure for 14 days, in wool (sheep's hair sheared off), in cattle hide and soil for 24 days, in shoes infected with the virus for 11 weeks, in hay for 15 weeks, in dry grass and grain for 5 months, and in liquid animal feces (in winter) for 6 months. In order to protect against foot and mouth disease, it is important to ensure hand hygiene and to use protective clothing such as gloves, boots, and overalls during animal care.