Measures beefed up to prevent spread of foot and mouth to Zubr population

Tourists wishing to catch a glimpse of Poland's unique bison, or Zubr, located in the Puszcza Bialowieska national park, will soon be subject to disinfection measures, similar to those introduced at many airports throughout Europe, to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease, according to the park's authorities. The measures are being taken to protect the endangered species against the newest outbreak of the disease, which can be fatal for cloven-hoofed animals. "We are very concerned about the [bison] ... all would have to be destroyed [if they became infected]," warned Bialowieska national park veterinarian Dr. Zbigniew Krasinski. In 1952, foot and mouth decimated herds of Polish bison in the southern part of the country. Today, just 700 inhabit Poland, 300 of which live in Puszcza Bialowieska. (Gazeta wyborcza, p.11) J.K.