Foot-and-mouse disease and madcow (BSE) have swept Europe to which people have been called on high alert throughout the world. All possible measures are being taken by many countries to refuse the virus entry in order that their people and animals are protected.
Damages on animals brought throughout the world are by no means small with the outbreak of foot-and-mouth virus and madcow disease. Though not a new pest found, the two have badly trounced UK's animal business and, worse still, have resulted in several deaths of infected people. Needless to say, if not put in check, the virus would spread to more countries and regions to pose an ever greater threat to people's health and lives. Any country, since it has a sense of responsibility, should shoulder the task to put a curb on the two animal diseases.
Countries with foot-and-mouth and madcow disease first found must bravely face the losses to be brought about and take care relentless measures be adopted and not shift their problems onto others abroad. They must draw a lesson from the situation and do their best to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future. Still, others not yet infected should also help rule out all diseased animals and their products from their imports no matter whatever temporary trade losses are to be incurred.
Close cooperation between countries is needed should we want to prevent and wipe out infectious animal diseases like foot-and-mouth and madcow diseases on a world scale. Researches to find cures to these diseases are difficult tasks confronting all countries rather than a few infected. It is absolutely shortsighted for a virus-clean country to stand on the outlook in face of such a scourge. People can never say when the virus will not befall a country standing by and only by taking effective measures can the virus be prevented. Relevant international organizations and research institutions should take the lead in exerting a concerted effort against the rampancy of such diseases.
(People’s Daily 03/22/2001)
