Sunday, October 28, 2007

Foot and Mouth Disease in India

The Bannerghatta Biological Park in India is experiencing an outbreak of foot and mouth disease - so far, 2 minthuns and a blackbuck have died. Authorities are taking many precautions to avoid further spread of the virus, including closing the park beginning on Monday. Many animals have been transferred to a different park to prevent spread of the disease to other animals. Captive elephants have been vaccinated. In addition, disinfectants are being sprayed around the park, vehicles are banned inside the zoo, and visitors on foot must step into water containing disinfectant before entering the zoo.

In reading this article I learned that foot and mouth disease virus is airborne and that foot and mouth disease virus is sensitive to UV radiation (extensive UV radiation works to inactivate the virus), which I think is pretty cool.

Read the article here:
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:1444580538799663243::
NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,39850

Alaina

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