Imports of meat from the United Kingdom have been banned on the Island following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in England this week.

As beef products from the UK have not been coming to the Island for several years following the outbreak of mad cow disease, the new ban primarily affects imports of pork and lamb.

The ban was implemented by the departments of Agriculture and Fisheries, Health and Consumer Affairs, Government veterinarian Jonathan Nisbett told The Royal Gazette last night.

Those departments consulted with British authorities and have now directed Customs to stop further imports.

The move follows similar bans introduced in the European Union, Canada and the United States over the last two days and the British government's own ban on its exports.

"We want people to understand that humans are not susceptible to the disease and have nothing to fear from it,'' said Dr. Nisbett.

He explained that the importance of the ban in Bermuda was for the protection of animals.

FMD is a highly contagious piconavirus which is considered a serious threat to animals because it is so easily spread. It affects cloven animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.

"The reason for the ban is because, for example, we know that people who raise pigs use swill from hotels and restaurants and such and pigs would be susceptible from that,'' said Dr. Nisbett. "We're trying to ensure infected meat doesn't come into the Island and end up in the food line for animals.'' Wholesaler Butterfield and Vallis issued a statement yesterday saying that it had contacted its primary suppliers of UK lamb and pork and "the news is still unfolding'' on the investigation of the outbreak there.

The disease is not considered a health threat to humans however it has, very rarely, been detected in humans. "Symptoms in humans include a rash, but are not believed to have long-term health implications,'' said the statement from Butterfield and Vallis.

Generally, however, the risk of infection goes the other way, with humans being able to transmit FMD to animals. "Humans could spread it if they were handling diseased animals or walking around on farms through soil and faeces which could contain it,'' said Dr. Nisbett. "It could be on their clothing and shoes and they could carry the infection to the next farm they go to.'' Similarly, while cats and dogs are not affected, like humans, they could pass it on to cloven animals. For that reason, cats and dogs coming into Bermuda have always had to have a FMD statement as a condition of entry, Dr. Nisbett said.

Once there is an outbreak, as in southeast England this week, the virus can spread very quickly as an aerosol over fairly long distances (possibly up to 50 kilometres) and decimates animal populations.

Affected animals develop blisters in their mouths, noses, teats and feet.

Although it doesn't cause death directly, it results in lameness and the animals stop eating. Destroying the animals is considered the only way to stop the disease.

Since the disease was discovered at an abattoir outside of Essex on Tuesday, 300 pigs and 60 cattle have been destroyed.

The disease had not been seen in England in 20 years. Last night a third outbreak was confirmed and farms affected or suspected of being affected there have now been declared "five-mile animal movement exclusion zones'' in an attempt to stem further spread of the disease.

Since the British have already implemented their own export ban, no affected meat is being shipped out of that country.

"We only expect to catch whichever food or meats are in transit,'' Dr.

Nisbett said of the Bermuda ban.

Like North American countries, Bermuda is considered FMD-free. Dr. Nisbett said, to his knowledge, the disease had never been seen here.

"This isn't a human disease. We don't want people to panic,'' he said. And he stressed that Hand, Foot and Mouth disease -- a human disease -- is a completely unrelated disease with no connection whatsoever to FMD.