Q. What is the risk of transmission of FMD from Indonesia to Australia?
A. In my opinion the risk is extremely high over the next 1 to 6 months.
The last case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Australia was recorded in 1872. Since that time Australia has managed to remain free of the disease through a combination of effective biosecurity arrangements, strict animal quarantine and a measure of good luck. Indonesia has been free of FMD since 1986 providing a significant “barrier” to the disease which has been endemic in mainland Asia for centuries.
Outbreaks in Asia are relatively…
