The effects of foot-and-mouth on the health of those involved in farming and tourism in Dumfries and Galloway

Abstract

Background: The 2001 epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom was mainly confined in the case of Scotland to Dumfries and Galloway, where 176 cases resulted in 600,000 animals being culled on 451 farms with another 900 farms included in the three kilometre cull of sheep. This accounted for over half the farms in the region. Objectives: The aims of the study were to assess the mental health and social wellbeing of those involved with farming and tourism in Dumfries and Galloway at the time of the foot-and-mouth epidemic. Methods: Mental health and social wellbeing were assessed using COOP/WONCA charts, which use cartoon pictures with a five-point scale that have been designed to enable international comparisons to be made. Six of these scales were used, namely: feelings, daily activities, overall health, social activities, social support and quality of life. The questionnaires were anonymous, and included some demographic data. All farm businesses on the Scottish Agricultural Colleges database and all members of the local Tourist Board were circulated, to assess their health for a two-week period at the time of the cull. Results: 1186 replies were received. Those who responded were representative of those involved in farming and tourism in the region. Average scores for those involved in farming were worse than for those involved in tourism, and for farmers low scores were related to the extent to which they were affected by the cull. Over two thirds said that other members of the family were affected and one quarter said they had received support, mainly from frieds (16%), family (14%), family doctor (4%) and neighbours (3%). For those who said they had not received support, the commonest requests were for financial help and for better information from the Ministry of Agriculture. When compared with surveys from a range of populations in other countries, those involved with farming and tourism in Dumfries and Galloway had worse scores for feelings, daily activities, and social activities; and this was particularly so for farmers. Conclusions: • The foot-and-mouth crisis in Dumfries and Galloway affected the mental health and social well-being of those involved in farming and tourism. Health assessment scores were worse when compared with populations in other countries, especially for farmers in relation to the extent of the cull. • The majority of families were affected with stress, depression, isolation, loss of social life and worries about the future. • Despite this, the main perceived needs were for financial assistance and more information from the Ministry of Agriculture. • The policy of mass culling has profound effects on those involved and their families, which needs to be taken into account in future outbreaks, as well as the economic implications.