I have some concerns especially since this is going to be our first trip overseas. Most of our concerns are regarding this Hoove & Mouth Disease, and the Mad Cow Disease which are centered in the European area.

What I'm looking for is how this may affect some of the Ports of Call we may be stopping at, (Le Havre, Plymouth, Cork, Dublin, Glascow etc..) and how this may affect the food which is served by the cruise line.

The whole situation is very, very sad and worrying.

Only a few hundred animals have actually been confirmed of having the disease. Most of the headlines are concerned with the sad by necessary preventative measures.

This is not new! The disease swept Britain in 1967. It's not a new thing. There were not any human cases of the disease or fatalities, apart from several poor farmers that committed suicide, because they lost there livelihood.

Your ports of call will NOT involve visiting farm land or farm animals. In fact you will almost certainly be mainly visiting towns and big cities, which will be miles away from livestock, even if it were infected.

You have nothing to fear, you can't catch it. I'm not worried, and I live in the UK! As I've said before, your biggest risks will be driving to the Port or Airport, or maybe over-eating on the cruise. Enjoy!

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Originally posted by Greywolf:
I have some concerns especially since this is going to be our first trip overseas.

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Don't cancel, what ever you do! You will be visiting some great parts of the world. As I've said you are not at risk, anyway! The Media always manage to spread so much fear.

Even if you don't really believe me, chech the web site below. Anyway the problem will probably be well-over by June.

(America's main concern is that a tourist who had been on contaminated UK Farmland might just spread the disease to the USA on his boots! This is unlikely. People DO NOT carry the disease internally, and of couse such Farmland is out of bounds anyway to tourists.)

Have a great cruise!

You are quite correct Hoove and Mouth disease does not affect humans, however humans can become carriers of the disease. This apparently is a major concern for quite a few european countries. We are hearing reports in the U.S. that some european countries are installing disinfection centers at various points for any vistors coming into their country from the U.K., I need to know will these be on our Ports of Call?, if so How will they affect the various tours that are being offered?, It won't do me any good to go on the cruise and get to a port of call only to find out that we wont be able to disembark there.

As for Mad Cow disease, this is a vastly different disease. This disease can affect humans, and it can be lethal. Since we are departing from a U.K. port, I would like to know how the ship is provisioned. Is any of the red meat being served coming from the U.K., or are the cruise lines importing beef in from other areas such as the U.S., again the reports we are hearing in the U.S. is that the disease is so wide spread, that the U.K. is considering slaughtering as many as 100,000 head of cattle because of it.

This trip represents a substansial financial investment for me, and I want to be assured that the trip will go as planned. How else can I find out this information.

Originally posted by Greywolf:
..however humans can become carriers of the disease. This apparently is a major concern for quite a few european countries. We are hearing reports in the U.S. that some european countries are installing disinfection centers at various points for any vistors coming into their country from the U.K...

I think the main procedure is to simply stand in a tray chemicals, to wash your shoes!

As for Mad Cow disease, this is a vastly different disease. This disease can affect humans, and it can be lethal.

True...but only a few hundred people are confirmed as ever dieing from it? The roads are more dangerous!

The new and very strict procedures in preparing our meat (removing the spine etc) are make it safe now, say the Government.

Since we are departing from a U.K. port, I would like to know how the ship is provisioned.

Probably with British meat of course, after all it is concidered safe!

again the reports we are hearing in the U.S. is that the disease is so wide spread, that the U.K. is considering slaughtering as many as 100,000 head of cattle because of it.

If they find one diseased animal in a heard of 100,000, rather than test all the rest, they take no chances and slaughter the lot! I think that there are only really 200 ish confirmed cases so far?

This trip represents a substansial financial investment for me, and I want to be assured that the trip will go as planned. How else can I find out this information.

I agree, it is only natural that you should want to find out. Unfortunately the situation is changing daily. I would imagine the disease will reach its peak soon?

It funny us Brits worry about going to NY or Miami and getting shot dead!

If you want the grim daily updates, see: http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.htm

I can't add anymore. I hope I've helped a little?

I thought it may help you if I told you of our experience to Teneriffe recently the passengers from UK flights were asked to walk across a disinfectant impregnated mat, this was not situated at the bottom of the aircraft steps but in a building a short bus ride away. As far as I know there have not been any outbreaks of Foot and Mouth in the Canary Islands. Several of my friends have travelled abroad recently and no-one has come back with any reports of peculiar or unreasonable request for passengers from the UK. I am not sure if disinfecting shoes does kill anything off but passengers are very happy to comply with requests in foreign countries which may help prevent the spread of this disease.

A friend of mine traveled from the UK to Belgium, by Ferry, recently. The customs Officers at Belgium impounded his Ham Sandwich!

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Originally posted by bubbles:
Hi Greywolf

I thought it may help you if I told you of our experience to Teneriffe recently the passengers from UK flights were asked to walk across a disinfectant impregnated mat, this was not situated at the bottom of the aircraft steps but in a building a short bus ride away. As far as I know there have not been any outbreaks of Foot and Mouth in the Canary Islands. Several of my friends have travelled abroad recently and no-one has come back with any reports of peculiar or unreasonable request for passengers from the UK. I am not sure if disinfecting shoes does kill anything off but passengers are very happy to comply with requests in foreign countries which may help prevent the spread of this disease.

There is no problem with food at the moment, there is meat on all the shelves in the shops and no question about its quality. I would not have thought ports would experience too many problems coming in as it is rural areas were movements are limited in particular areas where the disease has been identified or where farms are in quarantine. At the moment very stringent precautionary measures are being taken to cull healthy animals in order to contain and halt the spread. Our farmers are suffering terribly but don't think the UK is shut, it is not we are definitely open for business. If you are intending to go hiking in rural areas there are likely to be some restrictions but if you are following the usual tourist trail you are unlikely to be aware of the problem unless you watch TV. I think the media always over state these sorts of cases the coverage I saw on CNN when in Teneriffe was terrifying and I am not surprised you have fears if that is what you have been subjected to. This is not being swept under the carpet, the situation is open to the closest scrutiny. Please don't change your plans, the UK tourist industry needs you and we are looking forward to welcoming you to our shores, we cannot promise you sunshine but can guarantee you will have a trip never to forget for the best of reasons.

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FWIW, I also have some concern as others have stated however, the UK and USA are great countries and I believe they normally take all necessary percautions to protect the general public. (sometimes overkill)

Many, many times the press will overstate a situation to inform us of all the "bad" things. My wife and I will exercise normal caution but without fear. We will continue our trip and expect to enjoy each of these ports to its fullest. And we expect to return healthy.

There are a lot of paranoid / worried people in the UK as in any country and if there was a genuine risk to public health they would stop eating meat. They haven't.

Mad cow or the human equivalent CJD (I cant spell Crotsfeld Jacobs Decease)was a temporary aberation and the main cluster was as a result of one careless butcher in a small village. The media reported this completely out of proportion to the actuality of the situation.

I understand your concerns. I worry ever time I go abroad, particularly to a country where I am required to have vaccinations for Malaria, Polio, Typhus etc. If we let these kind of worries affetc us too badly we would never leave our own garden.

Dealing with Foot and Mouth Disease:

The Passenger Shipping Association and all its member ferry line companies are following the guidelines set out by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and are fully co-operating with continental, Irish and domestic port authorities. Passengers, tourist offices and local authorities are receiving clear guidance on
how to deal with the crisis through informative leaflets, flyers and frequent updates or announcements.

The following measures are being taken:

Personal Exports of fresh meat, meat products,
fresh milk, milk products have been strictly
forbidden; this includes sandwiches, packed
lunches etc. All passengers are called to consume
or dispose of any items before arrival. In some
cases animal products must be surrendered prior to
embarkation.

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Originally posted by Greywolf:

I have some concerns especially since this is going to be our first trip overseas. Most of our concerns are regarding this Hoove & Mouth Disease, and the Mad Cow Disease which are centered in the European area.

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There is a brand new web site to assist tourists:
www.openbritain.gov.uk

I recently read the US crime figures: You have much more chance being shot dead by a 'gun nut' in the USA than ever catching BSE, even if you were born and bread in the UK!

Only 2/3 humans have ever caught a variation Foot and Mouth. They were farm workers handling hundreds of diseased animal bodies. In humans it is a mild desease. Unfortunately, BSE has 'possibly' infected some humans, but once again it is a very small number.