Testing area Wehl: study of risks of contacts in behalf of foot-and-mouth disease
Nielen, M.; Maurice, H.; Schut, B.H.; Jansen, G.C.; van Wuijckhuise, L.A.; de Jong, M.F.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 120(21): 618-622
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-7453 PMID: 7482485 Document Number: 439856
A study on contacts between livestock holdings was conducted in a geographically defined area of 4 by 6 km in the Netherlands. The farmers were asked to record all contact on and off farm during a period of 2 weeks. The number of contacts in the 2 week period was high, on average 91.8 contacts per farm. The risk of spreading foot-and-mouth disease on or off the farm was greater for cattle farms than for swine farms. Relatively more people had contact with the animals while visiting cattle farms, thereby causing the higher risk. Most contacts occurred over short distances. Almost 50% of the contacts were within the research area. This finding confirms the importance of restricted areas around farms with foot-and-mouth disease infections.