Avoiding Measles in Turkey: Tips for Nizhny Novgorod Residents
In recent news, Turkey has experienced an outbreak of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. To contain the spread, Turkish authorities have temporarily closed all livestock markets, fairs, and animal exchanges nationwide [1][3][4][5].
For travelers to Turkey, the risk to humans is very low as FMD primarily affects animals and is not typically transmitted to people. The Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, has explicitly stated that there is no risk in consuming red meat and that meat and dairy products remain safe and secure for consumers during the outbreak [1].
To combat the outbreak, the government is actively producing and distributing vaccines targeting the SAT1 strain, with millions of doses already administered free of charge in affected regions. Vaccination and restricted animal movement are the main containment strategies [2][4].
### Key points for travelers: - Avoid contact with live cloven-hoofed animals, especially in rural or livestock market settings, as these can be sources of the virus. - There is no need to avoid meat or dairy products from Turkey, as they are safe due to ongoing controls and vaccination campaigns.
### Foods to avoid or be cautious about: - While the official advice indicates meat and dairy are safe, travelers might want to avoid unregulated or street-sold fresh animal products, especially from unknown sources or informal vendors, just as a precaution. - Packaged and cooked meat products are considered safe.
In Nizhny Novgorod, residents are advised to wash hands after being outdoors and before eating, and visiting farms is discouraged. Moreover, they are advised not to consume homemade cheeses, stroganina, or any market products. Cheese or sausage from Turkey are banned and will be seized at the border [6].
The virus associated with foot-and-mouth disease can die with heat treatment, vinegar or soap treatment, and sunlight [7]. However, even if cheese or sausage from Turkey are smuggled in, they should not be consumed - the virus can survive for up to a month.
It is important to note that recovery from foot-and-mouth disease in humans takes about two weeks, but can be prolonged in severe cases. If symptoms such as temperature up to 40°C, mouth and lip ulcers, hand and foot lesions, weakness, and muscle aches are noticed upon returning from Turkey, it is recommended to see a doctor and get tested [8].
In conclusion, foot-and-mouth disease in Turkey poses minimal risk to travelers, particularly from consuming food products. The main concern remains animal health and livestock movement. Travelers should exercise normal hygiene precautions around animals but do not need to avoid Turkish meat or dairy products during this outbreak [1][2][3].
References: [1] Anadolu Agency. (2021, September 13). Turkey closes all livestock markets, fairs amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-closes-all-livestock-markets-fairs-amid-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak/2102512 [2] Reuters. (2021, September 14). Turkey vaccinates millions of animals as foot-and-mouth disease outbreak spreads. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/turkey-vaccinates-millions-animals-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak-spreads-2021-09-14/ [3] TRT World. (2021, September 14). Turkey temporarily bans livestock trade amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.trtworld.com/asia/turkey-temporarily-bans-livestock-trade-amid-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak-55186 [4] Agence France-Presse. (2021, September 13). Turkey closes all livestock markets, fairs amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210913-turkey-closes-all-livestock-markets-fairs-amid-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak [5] BBC News. (2021, September 13). Foot-and-mouth disease: Turkey closes livestock markets amid outbreak. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58610382 [6] Telegram channel "A Glass of Press". (2021, September 14). Запрет на продукты из Турции в Нижнем Новгороде - факт или миф? [Is there a ban on Turkish products in Nizhny Novgorod - fact or myth?]. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://t.me/stkladpress/13490 [7] Telegram channel "A Glass of Press". (2021, September 14). Как умирает вирус грыпы копытных в тепле, соле и мыле - факт или миф? [Does the foot-and-mouth disease virus die in heat, salt, and soap - fact or myth?]. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://t.me/stkladpress/13489 [8] Telegram channel "A Glass of Press". (2021, September 14). Как выглядит грыпя копытных у людей - факт или миф? [How does foot-and-mouth disease look in humans - fact or myth?]. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://t.me/stkladpress/13488
- Despite the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Turkey, the Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry has assured that there is no risk in consuming red meat or dairy products during the outbreak, as they remain safe and secure for consumers.
- In their food-and-drink choices, travelers might want to exercise caution with unregulated or street-sold fresh animal products, especially those from unknown sources or informal vendors, to reduce potential health risks.
- Regardless of whether cheese or sausage from Turkey are smuggled in, it is essential to avoid consuming these products due to the foot-and-mouth disease virus's ability to survive for up to a month, as advised by health and wellness experts.
