International students and travellers are being called on to help stop the spread of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into Western Australia.<\/p>\n
Strict biosecurity measures are in place at our border with recent outbreaks of the livestock disease in the tourist hotspot of Bali and other parts of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
FMD is not harmful to human health but affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, deer, and camels.<\/p>\n
An outbreak in Australia would cause sickness in animals and have a devastating impact on our meat and dairy farmers, international trade, economy, and regional communities.<\/p>\n
Any travel to rural areas or sites where farm animals may have been, must be declared upon entry to WA.<\/p>\n
Students relocating or returning to WA are reminded to clean and declare all shoes, clothing, luggage, and equipment used near animals or in rural areas.<\/p>\n
High-risk animal products such as animal skins, camping or hunting products should also be declared and presented to a biosecurity officer for inspection on arrival or put in a bin.<\/p>\n
It is important to check what you can bring or mail to Australia<\/a> and to remind family and friends overseas that certain products are not permitted.<\/p>\n FMD can survive in frozen, chilled and freeze-dried foods including meat and dairy products therefore it is illegal to bring these foods into Australia.<\/p>\n For traveller biosecurity advice and alerts about FMD, visit the Australian Government\u2019s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website<\/a>.<\/p>\n