Volume 2, No. 3. February 8, 2002
Return visits
Almost a year after the first case was detected leading to the destruction of six million animals and causing a dire impact on tourism (THE LOOP, March 9, 2001 and April 9, 2001), foot and mouth disease has been officially declared eradicated in Great Britain. No cases have been detected since September, and on January 15 Northumberland became the last county in the country declared free of any sign of the virus. The disease forced the closing of several zoos and animal parks throughout the nation and depressed visitation to all amusement parks last spring. Many facilities rebounded with good gates through the summer, and this year the industry expects potentially record numbers as British residents elect to spend their holidays closer to home.