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

The 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom did not have a significant impact on?

1. Humans becoming infected

2. Animal welfare

3. The economy

4. Human travel

The correct answer is: Humans becoming infected

The assertion that the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom did not significantly impact humans becoming infected is based on the nature of the disease itself. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, rather than humans. Although there may be rare cases where humans can handle infected animals and potentially be exposed to the virus, these instances are extremely uncommon and the virus does not cause the same disease in humans as it does in animals. Therefore, while there was considerable media coverage and concern surrounding the outbreak, there were no significant infections or health issues reported in the human population as a direct result of FMD. The other aspects of the outbreak had notable effects: animal welfare was a significant concern due to mass culling of infected and at-risk livestock; the economy suffered tremendously due to the costs associated with disease control measures, loss of livestock, and restrictions on movement and trade; and human travel was impacted as restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of disease, influencing tourism and worker mobility in rural areas.