Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

If a horse emergency arises while handling a suspected foot and mouth disease case, what should you do?

1. Wash your boots with antiseptic and see the horse

2. See the horse immediately, as it is not susceptible to foot and mouth disease

3. Refer the case to a colleague, as you are afraid of spreading the infection on fomites

4. See the horse, but treat it with antibiotics to prevent foot and mouth disease

The correct answer is: Refer the case to a colleague, as you are afraid of spreading the infection on fomites

In the scenario involving a suspected foot and mouth disease (FMD) case, opting to refer the case to a colleague is the prudent choice. Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. Although horses are not susceptible to FMD, they can act as carriers of the virus on their bodies (through contaminated equipment, clothing, or other objects), thereby posing a risk to other susceptible animals in the vicinity. The decision to refer the case minimizes the risk of inadvertently spreading the virus through contact or fomites—objects or materials that can carry infectious agents. By avoiding direct handling of the horse, you effectively mitigate the potential for cross-contamination and help safeguard other animals that could be at risk. Addressing the other options helps clarify why they are less suitable. Washing boots with antiseptic does mitigate some risks but might not fully eliminate the concern about spreading the virus, particularly if other avenues of transmission aren't managed. Immediately seeing the horse implies a level of immediacy that could result in oversight regarding virus transmission, which could lead to further complications for livestock health. Finally, treating the horse with antibiotics is inappropriate because antibiotics do not have any effect on viral infections