Fears are growing that a tourist could inadvertently bring the disease back to Australia on their shoes,dealing a potential $80 billion blow to the economy.
New biosecurity zones will be introduced in customs from midnight on Friday for passengers flying in from Indonesia.
An outbreak would force a halt to Australian red meat exports,costing agricultural industries billions of dollars.
Australia’s biosecurity laws are some of the best in the world,livestock industry leaders have said,cautioning against unwarranted panic.
With foot and mouth disease now in Indonesia,Australia is on alert to stop it spreading here. What is the disease,and why are the stakes so high?
Indonesia is imploring Australia not to panic,despite a shortage of foot and mouth vaccines or even personnel to administer the shots to livestock.
The devastating livestock disease is sweeping across Bali and poses an $80 billion economic threat to Australia.
The recent detection of foot and mouth disease on the holiday island of Bali has fuelled fears travellers may bring it back to Australia.
The government has ramped up biosecurity checks at airports with a $14 million funding package.
Australia’s 1 million annual Bali visitors are being urged to play their part in stopping an Australian outbreak of the devastating foot and mouth disease.
Just one case of foot-and-mouth in Australia would wreak havoc on exports - and travellers can bring it back from holidays on their shoes.