Two major events occurred during 2001 that impressed upon us how vulnerable we are. The first was the foot-and-mouth disease break in England. Foot-and-mouth is a highly infectious viral infection of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo, and artiodactyl wildlife species. It is characterized by fever, vesicles in the mouth and on the muzzle, teat, and feet and death in young animals. All species of deer and antelope are susceptible to foot-and-mouth.

The first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England was February 26, 2001. After the slaughter of 597,000 cattle, 3,236,000 sheep, 142,000 pigs, 2,000 goats and 1,000 deer and some eight months later, England declared themselves foot-and-mouth free. The financial impact as well as the impact on people’s livelihood is immeasurable.

The second major event was the terrorist’s attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Not since the attack at Pearl Harbor was our homeland so viciously attacked.

These two events put biosecurity and bioterrorism into our everyday language. Americans began asking themselves how they can best protect their farms, land, livestock, crops, water and family against highly infectious diseases and bioterrorism.

The purpose of this web site is to provide unbiased research-based information on topics related to biosecurity and bioterrorism. No longer can Americans be naïve. Livestock producers, farmers and homeowners should all be concerned with these important issues. We will do our very best to provide the latest information on biosecurity and bioterrorism. Thank you.

Tom R. Troxel, Chair
Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Committee
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

Committee Members: Frank Jones, Jeremy Powell, Russ Kennedy, Dustan Clark, Ples Spradley, Steve Vann, Lamar James, Tom Riley, Rosemary Rodibaugh, Charles Wilson, Dennis Gardisser and Steve Seideman.

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