Foot and mouth disease: Travellers returning from Bali urged to leave clothes, shoes behind

Travellers from Bali have been asked to take extra caution, with fears a “horrific” disease could decimate a key Australian industry.

A farming advocate has issued an alarming warning to travellers returning from Bali and Indonesia, in an attempt to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Riverine Plains chief executive Catherine Marriott pleaded with travellers returning from the popular holiday destination to abandon their belongings at the border in a bid to keep the country safe from the highly destructive disease.

The first case of FMD in Bali was detected late last month, with reports more than 300,000 animals across Indonesia have been affected.

Ms Marriott said if it crosses into Australia, the “horrific disease” had the potential to decimate the nation’s $80 billion livestock industry.

The contagious disease has the potential to decimate one of Australia’s most lucrative industries. Picture: Perdiansyah/ AFP

“Most people in Australia and agriculture are aware we have a horrific disease called foot and mouth disease,” she said, sharing a video on Twitter.

“It’s extremely cruel and it’s massively important we keep it out of Australia.”

Although FMD is harmless to humans, it can have devastating effects on livestock and cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, buffalo, sheep, goats and deer. The highly contagious condition results in blisters that “scab up and rots off the mouths and feet of livestock”, said Ms Marriott.

FMD is spread via the breath, saliva, mucus, milk and faeces of an infected animal, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry advises.

But the disease can also be spread through wool, hair, grass or straw, and contaminated particles on footwear, clothing, livestock equipment or vehicle tyres.

While vaccines offer some protection, there is no cure, with euthanasia the primary method of controlling an endemic.

“The ramifications if this disease gets to Australia will be immense. It will destroy families and rural communities - but importantly, it will also destroy your ability to eat safe Australian-grown meat,” said Ms Marriott in a video shared on Twitter.

A passionate call for all Australians travelling to Indonesia. Please share with your urban friends & please be careful when bringing things back. @NationalFarmers@abcnews@JaneCaro@TurnbullMalcolm@Lisa_Wilkinson#agchatozpic.twitter.com/mpTVuqBLjX

— Catherine Marriott (@roseycatherine) July 9, 2022

Airports have recently implemented extra biosecurity measures, with screening for higher-risk passengers, the use of detector dogs and warnings for passengers to disinfect their shoes prior to returning to Australia.

But Ms Marriott went one step further and asked travellers to leave their clothes and shoes in Bali to ensure the disease doesn’t arrive in Australia.

“My ask is to please wash everything that you bring back. Better still, leave your clothes and shoes over there,” she said.

“Support the local economy. Buy clothes over there and leave them over there. It’s how we’re going to keep you capacity to eat beautiful Australian meat safe for future generations.”

WA-based farmer, Jo Ashworth said an outbreak will affect several different kinds of animals. Picture: Twitter @joashworth155

As well as many sectors within the agriculture and livestock industry, Picture: Twitter @joashworth155

In another video, West Australian farmer Jo Ashworth said FMD was “massive threat” that would affect many areas of the agriculture industry.

“If an outbreak reaches Australia this will affect all of the animals – beef, pork, lamb, goats,” she said.

“It’ll also affect the farmers who grow them, the grain farmers who support the farmers who support the farmers, the business who support those farmers. All consumers of all animal products, will be affected.”

FMD - one to share - returning from Bali? Do the right thing, declare and take care. pic.twitter.com/r7PdXqmHKy

— Jo Ashworth (@joashworth155) July 7, 2022

The first cases were detected in Bali in late June - where Skyscanner estimates there are 305 flights which operate between Denpasar to Australia on a weekly basis.

In greater Indonesia, it’s estimated that more than 336,000 animals have been affected, with cases reported in 21 provinces, including Java and Sumatra.

ABC News reports 3000 infected livestock have already been culled in the southeast Asian country.

While in Australia, FMD has not been detected for over 100 years, the last major outbreak was detected in the UK in 2001, with a minor outbreak in 2007.

In 2001, the epizootic swept through the entire country and plunged the agriculture industry into a major crisis that cost the public sector $A5.27 million and the private sector $A8.78 million, the BBC reported.