Foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia

Last updated
Friday, 29/07/2022

 

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Indonesia is ongoing.

It's important to prevent the disease from reaching Australia's shores. FMD doesn't exist in Australia. It poses a significant risk to our livestock industry. Any outbreak would lead to a loss in production of meat and milk, prevent trade and may require the slaughter of many animals to control the disease. 

If you're travelling to Indonesia, including Bali, be biosecurity aware. 

Why is FMD in Indonesia a higher risk to Australia?

FMD is found in approximately 70 countries overseas. But in most of these, it's contained through vaccination or other control measures. 

When an outbreak occurs in a country where the disease has not been present, such as Indonesia, it poses a higher biosecurity risk while containment measures are being put in place. The number of infected animals and the volume of the virus in the environment grows rapidly when unconfined by vaccination or other measures. This increases the chance of travellers bringing the disease across our borders. 

While you're in Indonesia

Avoid rural areas where active outbreaks are occurring while you're there.

If your shoes are dirty and/or you've visited a rural area, consider thoroughly cleaning your footwear or leaving them behind.

To clean your footwear:

  • shake or scrape shoes to remove any loose dirt
  • thoroughly wash soles, laces, Velcro and external surfaces using soap, water and a cloth or brush (such as an old toothbrush)
  • after they're dry, double-check for any remaining contamination. Wash again if needed.

If you travelled with any equipment, such as camping gear or hiking packs, clean those too. 

Biosecurity declarations

You must declare on your incoming passenger card if:

  • you've visited a rural area
  • you've been in contact with, or near, farm animals
  • any meat or dairy products you're bringing into the country.

It's important you're truthful when you fill in your declaration. There are no penalties for truthfully declaring or disposing of items before going through biosecurity screening. 

You could be fined if you don't declare something that poses a biosecurity risk. 

When arriving in Australia

Biosecurity Response Zones are being established at international airports within Australia. You may be required to walk over a foot mat when getting off your flight. The foot mats are safe to use and designed to treat footwear by lightly coating the soles with a thin layer of a diluted chemical disinfectant.

There may be biosecurity detector dogs in the airport. 

Present anything you declared to a biosecurity officer when you arrive. The officer may inspect your shoes and equipment. Further treatment may be required, particularly if you visited any rural areas. 

Avoid farms and livestock for the first seven days after arriving in Australia.

For more information about FMD prevention, visit the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 

Read more

See also