This page contains the material submitted to the local paper - The Davis Enterprise - for Explorit Science Center's news column published in that paper on Fridays.

With the recent anthrax situation, Americans have become increasingly aware that harmful microorganisms can impact their lives, even when they least expect it. One way to reduce panic is to educate the public about various diseases that can affect them and explain the proactive measures that can be and are being taken to prevent the spread of specific diseases.

Foot and Mouth Disease is one virus that our nation's farmers and ranchers are specifically concerned about. It can affect cloven-hooved livestock including sheep, pigs, cows, and goats. Horses are not affected.

There are seven types of Foot and Mouth Disease and over 60 subtypes, each unique. This disease is highly contagious and spreads through saliva, nose-to-nose contact, mud, and wind. Symptoms of oral blisters, blisters on the feet, and blisters of the udder may not appear until after the animal has spread the virus to other hooved animals in the area.

There was a large outbreak of this disease in the United Kingdom in 2001. Veterinarians and scientists from around the world went to assist the United Kingdom with its eradication efforts.

Explorit is participating in the effort to educate the public about current issues and science research. On Jan. 15 Pam Hullinger, a staff veterinarian of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, will speak about her work with Foot and Mouth Disease and her experiences in the United Kingdom.

In 2001 she, with nineteen other veterinarians from the United States, went to the United Kingdom to aid the British government in their containment and eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease.

"As a veterinarian, an outbreak like this is the chance to get hands-on training in the infectious disease livestock diseases. I also saw it as my chance to make sure that the animals were as comfortable as possible and treated as humanely as possible. If their slaughter was inevitable, then it was my job to make sure that they received humane treatment," Hullinger said

To learn more about Foot and Mouth Disease be sure to listen to Pam Hullinger's talk, “Food and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom: The Outbreak, the People and the Impact.” This free lecture will occur at the Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th Street Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Now... how can you educate your children about detrimental microorganisms without having them panic? Explain to children that most microorganisms are beneficial or harmless. But for the few that are harmful, there are things they can do. Here are some quick and easy suggestions and discussion topics:

* Encourage frequent hand washing-using the "20-second rinsing" rule.

* Encourage children to cough or sneeze into the sleeves of their clothes rather than covering their mouths with their hands.

* Regularly wash clothes worn around groups of children, including coats and hats.

* Encourage healthful eating and plenty of rest. Strong bodies can resist disease better.

* When children are immunized, have your doctor explain the purpose of the immunizations.

* Talk with your children regularly about what scientists are doing to prevent the spread of diseases.

* Learn more about diseases yourself, so you can offer information during casual conversation or answer a question when asked. One web site you may wish to explore is foodsafe.ucdavis.edu. You will find general information about food safety as well as numerous links to related Web sites.

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