FMD biosecurity advice for international travellers

If you’re planning an international trip or will soon be welcoming international visitors to your operation, keep biosecurity in mind.

While Canada is free of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), this highly contagious virus is presently the greatest health risk to Canadian livestock.

Many countries in Asia, Africa, and South America are positive for FMD, and travellers returning from these areas pose a risk to Canada’s livestock.

To help prevent a devastating FMD outbreak in Canada, the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) has developed the following biosecurity advice for international travellers:

• Always declare to Canadian Border Services Agents when you have travelled from a farm internationally OR will be returning to a farm in Canada.
• Everyone must avoid contact with livestock or susceptible animals for five days after returning to Canada.
• When returning from a country without an official FMD-Negative status, avoid contact with livestock or agricultural operations for at least 14 days.
  • Check the World Organisation for Animal Health website for the Official Disease Status of countries.
• Declare all food products you bring into Canada.
  • Never bring back meat or animal products from international travel.
  • Any leftover food served on your flight, or bought at an overseas airport, must be left on the plane.
• Clean and disinfect your belongings.
  • Leave behind any footwear or belongings that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
  • Clean all soil and organic material from items prior to disinfecting.
  • Dry clean or wash all clothing.
  • Remember to clean and disinfect any equipment that has had contact with soil. This could include camping or hiking gear, tools or equipment.

More biosecurity resources are available in the emergency preparedness section of CCA’s website.