SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART JX 499 



LINN. — Disease was discovered February 28, 1915. Two herds, two 

 owners, two premises. 



Source of infection of first slauglitered lierd a mystery. One 

 Iierd infected through use of 1)reeding animals. Disinfection was 

 completed March 22, 1915. 



The live stock 'industry of Iowa was confronted with the greatest 

 and gravest menace in its history^ when foot and mouth disease ap- 

 peared in the state. Never before had there been an outbreak of 

 the disease so far west nor in a state where susceptible animals were 

 so numerous. The department and state officials charged with the 

 responsibility of directing the fight against this outbreak were deeply 

 conscious of the importance of adopting measures that would be 

 prompt and effectual. It was realized that if the outbreak were to 

 get beyond control it would result in incalculable losses, as Iowa 

 ranks as the greatest live stock producing state in the Union. The 

 fact that the disease was completely eradicated from the state in a 

 little over four months at comparatively small cost is sufficient proof 

 that the policy pursued was both prompt and effectual. The live 

 stock producers of Iowa have reason to consider themselves fortu- 

 nate in escaping a more extensive and prolonged outbreak, and the 

 state live stock sanitary authorities deserve credit for the energy and 

 intelligence they displayed in handling the difficult situation. Their 

 task was made more difficult because of differences of opinion in re- 

 gard to quarantine methods that should be applied, complaints from 

 those whose financial interests were necessarily affected, requests 

 from influential persons in the infected district for special favors, 

 and the embarrassment caused by attempts to use political pressure 

 to the detriment of the work. 



Iowa has been free from foot and mouth disease since March, 

 1915, and there is no reason to believe that there is any harbored in- 

 fection within its borders. Had it not been for the splendid co-opera- 

 tion received from the Governor of the state, the Animal Health 

 Commission, and the state veterinarian, the eradication of foot and 

 mouth disease from Iowa would have been very difficult, if not im- 

 possible to accomplish. 



