The association, through its Animal Health Committee, partnered with the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians to write the guidelines.

Prior to the recent epidemic in Britain, accredited U.S. zoos had established measures to prevent disease from penetrating zoos and aquariums, according to Sydney Butler, executive director of AZA. Those measures included quarantining newly arrived animals, testing their health prior to their addition to the zoo and conducting health maintenance checks daily. In addition, proper veterinary care that emphasizes disease prevention is also a requirement of accreditation.

Some of the new guidelines are as follows:

1) Ask visitors who have traveled outside North America within the past five days not to visit any animal contact areas;

2) Halt or restrict access to special contact tours;

3) Restrict susceptible animals from walking in public areas; and

4) Ask zoo staff and other professionals traveling from FMD countries to follow USDA instructions for travelers.