Introduction
Defined by the Patriot Act of 2001, critical infrastructures are; "systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters" (107th Congress, 2001). The National Infrastructure Protection Plan: Partnering for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (NIPP 2013) guides the national effort managing risks that may threaten our Nation’s critical infrastructure. The NIPP identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors (derived from PPD-21) which are vital to our Nation. These critical infrastructures …show more content…
The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), more commonly known as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), is an extremely contagious disease that affects all cloven-hooved species such as beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and swine. FMD is caused by genus Aphthovirus of the Picornaviridae family of which seven serotypes are recognized; including the three known as type O (now named the PanAsia strain), type A, type and C; types A and C both were present and responsible for the 2001 FMD epidemic in the United Kingdom (Arzt, Baxt, Grubman, Jackson, Juleff, Rhyan, and Rodriguez, 2011, p. 305). FMD is transmitted by direct contact between infected and susceptible animals, and by indirect contact with contaminated animal products (meat, raw milk, hides) and their feed, bedding, and equipment use for their maintenance. The disease can become airborne; when it does the spread of FMD occurs rapidly where large numbers of animals are in close proximity. According to Olsen, “The animal-to-animal airborne transmission range is 50 miles” and being an extremely stable virus, FMD can survive in bedding, on equipment, or even clothing for 1 month (2012, p. 4). An important feature of the disease in relation to its infectivity is that it may be excreted before signs become evident; thus the infection may spread before the farmer is aware that his herd …show more content…
The sector-specific plan listed goals include; improving the sector’s overall situational awareness, assessing all-hazards and risks, supporting the response and recovery, and improving analytical methods used to bolster prevention and response efforts (USG, 2015). Preventing a surreptitious and deliberate agroterrorism attack is problematic. It, therefore, becomes necessary to focus our attention elsewhere. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and the use of advanced vaccinations will limit the overall impact. In fact, advances in technology and animal husbandry may soon eradicate FMD altogether thus eliminating the
Defined by the Patriot Act of 2001, critical infrastructures are; "systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters" (107th Congress, 2001). The National Infrastructure Protection Plan: Partnering for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (NIPP 2013) guides the national effort managing risks that may threaten our Nation’s critical infrastructure. The NIPP identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors (derived from PPD-21) which are vital to our Nation. These critical infrastructures …show more content…
The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), more commonly known as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), is an extremely contagious disease that affects all cloven-hooved species such as beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and swine. FMD is caused by genus Aphthovirus of the Picornaviridae family of which seven serotypes are recognized; including the three known as type O (now named the PanAsia strain), type A, type and C; types A and C both were present and responsible for the 2001 FMD epidemic in the United Kingdom (Arzt, Baxt, Grubman, Jackson, Juleff, Rhyan, and Rodriguez, 2011, p. 305). FMD is transmitted by direct contact between infected and susceptible animals, and by indirect contact with contaminated animal products (meat, raw milk, hides) and their feed, bedding, and equipment use for their maintenance. The disease can become airborne; when it does the spread of FMD occurs rapidly where large numbers of animals are in close proximity. According to Olsen, “The animal-to-animal airborne transmission range is 50 miles” and being an extremely stable virus, FMD can survive in bedding, on equipment, or even clothing for 1 month (2012, p. 4). An important feature of the disease in relation to its infectivity is that it may be excreted before signs become evident; thus the infection may spread before the farmer is aware that his herd …show more content…
The sector-specific plan listed goals include; improving the sector’s overall situational awareness, assessing all-hazards and risks, supporting the response and recovery, and improving analytical methods used to bolster prevention and response efforts (USG, 2015). Preventing a surreptitious and deliberate agroterrorism attack is problematic. It, therefore, becomes necessary to focus our attention elsewhere. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and the use of advanced vaccinations will limit the overall impact. In fact, advances in technology and animal husbandry may soon eradicate FMD altogether thus eliminating the