FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26729, 13 May 1952, Page 9

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN AT LYTTELTON BRITISH CARS SPRAYED WITH STEAM Because they had been driven from the works in Britain to the port of shipment, 174 new cars brought to Lyttelton last week by the King Neptune had to be steam-sprayed as a precaution against bringing foot-and-mouth disease into New Zealand. The spraying was ordered by the Department of Agriculture under the provisions of the Stock Act, 1908, and was supervised by officials of the department.

The King Neptune was berthed at No. 4 wharf and the wharf was roped off. Only authorised persons were allowed on the wharf. On Friday evening a car ramp, to hold two cars, was built on the wharf, and spraying was begun on Saturday morning. The work was done by a car-spraying firm under contract, arid two machines were used. As soon as they had been sprayed, the cars were driven to Christchurch.

As an additional precaution, all persons, before leaving the wharf, had to walk through a shallow bath of caustic soda solution to decontaminate their footwear. Those who had been handling the cars also had to wash their hands in a trough of disinfectant.