True/False: Responding inappropriately to an FMD outbreak will have major public health consequences and could potentially overwhelm medical centers.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends on region

Answer: (B)

FMD is primarily an animal health and agricultural issue, with minimal direct risk to human health. The outbreak response is aimed at protecting livestock, maintaining animal health surveillance, and supporting trade and food security. If the outbreak were mishandled, the biggest consequences would be economic losses, disruptions to livestock production, and trade bans—not a surge in human disease or hospitals being overwhelmed. While public confidence and agricultural policy would be stressed, medical centers would not typically face overwhelming demand from FMD cases in people. Therefore the statement described is not accurate.