KEY POINTS:
Outbreak here would devastate farmers
Why are we asking this now?
The British Government is working to contain an outbreak of foot and mouth at a farm in Surrey.
Passengers arriving in New Zealand on flights from London have been met by questions, searches and delays in
an attempt to safeguard the country against foot and mouth.
A 2001 outbreak affected more than 10,000 farms in London and nearly seven million animals were culled.
Farming and exports are a big part of New Zealand's economy, so experts have said we would suffer more severely than any other country in case of an outbreak.
What is foot and mouth?
A virus that affects hoofed animals such as sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, llamas and deer.
It can be spread by wind, saliva, mucous, milk, faeces, wool, hair, grass, footwear, clothing, livestock equipment and vehicles.
The disease thrives in damp, cool conditions and can survive several weeks in certain atmospheres.
People can also spread the virus to animals as it can remain in human nasal passages for up to 28 hours.
What are the symptoms?
Animals may suffer a loss of appetite, depression, blisters on the nose, mouth and feet. Some may constantly shiver, dribble and have high temperatures. Death by foot and mouth is uncommon in adult animals but can occur in young animals. There is no cure for the disease.
Does foot and mouth affect people?
There is a human disease called hand-foot-and-mouth disease but it is caused by a different virus and New Zealand has no documented cases of it.
Eating contaminated meat does not harm people.
What are the effects of the disease in New Zealand?
If an outbreak occurred here, all meat, animal by-products and dairy product exports would stop until at least three months after the slaughter of the last infected animal.
New Zealand's international trade reputation for premium beef and lamb would be damaged, up to 20,000 jobs would be lost and $10 billion of economic activity would be wiped out over two years.
Are we likely to get it here?
We are at risk of the disease because of the high number of visitors to the country and Kiwis returning from trips overseas.
Has New Zealand had a scare?
New Zealand has never had foot and mouth but there have been threats.
In 1980, Temuka, in the south Canterbury, was quarantined after a suspected outbreak.
In May 2005, Prime Minister Helen Clark's office received a letter claiming that the disease had been released on Waiheke Island.
Authorities suspected it was a hoax, but responded with a huge containment operation involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and police.
What do I do if I suspect an outbreak?
Phone the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry emergency hotline immediately on 0800 809 966.
A vet will be dispatched to the scene and report back to the Exotic Disease Response Centre.
Animals may have to be culled.
However, farmers may also be asked to isolate animals they suspect are infected, close gates on their property, restrict vehicles and people entering the area, advise neighbours with stock and remove shoes and clothing that have been used in the area.
