Melbourne and Taronga Zoo Introduce New Measures to Protect the Animals From Foot-and-Mouth Disease

The disease that has yet to arrive in Australia, Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD), has caused waves of extreme fear for farmers and zoos all around Australia. Although there hasn't been any cases of foot-and-mouth, these zoos are not taking risks when it comes to the security and lives of the animals. They will be removing any visitor encounters with giraffes, kangaroos, and elephants and requesting that people take this seriously.

'We have put in place some containment protocols to help ensure our animals are safe and that this risk remains low' correspondence sent to zoo members.

What is Foot-and-Mouth?

Foot-and-mouth is a threatening disease that is highly contagious and affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, deer and pigs. This disease is not a public health risk as infection from animal to human is extremely rare. Although, it can cause loss in meat production and income for farmers. This disease causes mouth infections and foot blisters (among other effects) in animals. FMD is found throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia and most of South America.

Restrictions For Zoo Visitors

• limited access to giraffes and elephants

• If you have been overseas (indonesia) it has been requested that you do not visit the zoo until 48hrs after you land in Australia

• those who live with any livestock - except horses - have been requested to avoid visiting at all