This document was produced by MAFF as a specific response to the FMD outbreak in the UK in 2001 and was made available on their website. Risk Assessments and specific recommendations related to the conditions in the field at the time and should be viewed in this context as they may not be applicable to outbreaks occuring under different circumstances.
Foot and mouth disease
8 April 2001

FMD: Advice and precautions for zoos, wildlife parks etc

This advice updates that which was given on 24 February. It is based on further consideration and assessment of the problems faced by zoos and wildlife/safari parks, takes into account the development of the FMD outbreak in Great Britain and the onset of the main tourist season.

Most conventional zoos are now open or about to open. There is no statutory requirement that zoos and wildlife parks should be closed to the public, unless they have a confirmed or suspected outbreak of the disease. If this does occur, or if an outbreak occurs in a neighbouring area, appropriate veterinary advice on epidemiological risk should be sought. Opening a zoo may very slightly increase the risk of introducing infection but the risk can be minimised by the application of precautionary measures. The question of opening is essentially one for the judgement of the individual enterprise. This note sets out the main risks and ways of managing them.

Animals at Risk

Some animal species kept in zoos and wildlife parks are susceptible to foot and mouth disease. These include cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminants, swine and elephants. Although zoo and park animals have no direct contact with farmed livestock, they are still at risk of becoming infected. For example, infection could be introduced to the zoo by

• Personnel, particularly those who handle susceptible animals
• Airborne spread from an infected farm. Infected pigs, in particular, excrete enormous amounts of virus. The virus plume which results can spread infection over considerable distances, depending on meteorological conditions and topography. The nearer the premises is to a confirmed case of FMD, the greater is the risk of contracting infection
• Infective material carried on inanimate objects or by visitors to the zoo or the wildlife park
• Contaminated food

What can be done to reduce the risk?

All zoos and wildlife parks should implement measure to minimise the risks to susceptible animals in their collection. The best measures to take will vary according to layout, organisation and geographical situation, but the following should be considered.

• They should not live on premises on which there are FMD susceptible animals, or handle such animals outside the zoo/park. This is particularly important for staff who look after susceptible animals in the collection.
• They should wear footwear and clothing provided by the zoo/park which never leaves the premises other than to be laundered.
• They should be familiar with the signs of FMD, aware of the importance of quick action if they suspect disease and know who to contact at any time of day or night
• They should be aware of the precautions visitors are asked to take and authorised to enforce them.

• They should be segregated from susceptible animals and their access should be prevented to any land, which will also be used by those animals.
• They should be prevented from having any direct contact with animals. Enterprises or parts of enterprises which promote direct contact - e.g Children's Zoos, Animal Corners, may have to be closed and animal rides and displays or shows discontinued.
• Areas of the zoo/park where susceptible animals are kept might be closed to visitors
• Visitors should be encouraged to disinfect footwear and wash hands on arrival, using facilities provided by the zoo/park.
• They must not feed animals in the collection, or leave food anywhere except in receptacles provided by the management which are regularly emptied.
• They must not be allowed near to susceptible species. Any cafés or picnic areas which are near to such livestock enclosures should be shut.
• If cars drive through areas where there are susceptible livestock (e.g. in a safari park) disinfection would be a useful precaution

• Should be regularly inspected for clinical signs of FMD
• Should be housed if there are outbreaks of FMD close to the zoo/park.
• May be kept in an area which is closed to all visitors
• Should be fed and bedded on material not contaminated with FMD virus
• Should be tended by staff who take full disinfectant precautions before entering accommodation, pens or enclosures.

• Any meat used to feed animals is from licensed sources and not derived from premises where FMD is confirmed or suspected and that staff handling it have had no contact with susceptible livestock in the collection.
• Susceptible animals should not be moved between zoos and parks
• There should be vermin control adequate to reduce the risks of local infection.
• Notices about restrictions should be displayed prominently on the premises.
• Vaccination of animals is not currently permitted. The website will be updated if there are any changes.