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08/08/2007
Inspectors Continue To Trace Foot-And-Mouth Outbreak
Health inspectors are continuing to investigate the outbreak of foot-and-mouth at two farms in Surrey to find the cause.
A number of lines of inquiry are being investigated, including the possibility that employees from a nearby research site could have spread the virus.
The Health and Safety Executive said that there was the possibility that the virus had been spread by "human movement" or "accidental or deliberate transfer" of materials from the site.
The HSE's preliminary findings revealed a "strong possibility" that the nearby Pirbright research centre - which houses both the private company Merial Animal Health and the government-run Institute for Animal Health (IAH) - was the source of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
It said that the chances of the virus being spread by flooding or through the air was "negligible".
It was earlier identified that the virus found at the first farm was the same as that stocked on the premises of both research facilities.
Merial had around 10,000 litres of the virus as it produced vaccines, while the IAH had much smaller amounts, reported to be less than 10 mililitres in each case, which were used in small-scale experiments.
The first outbreak of the virus was discovered at Woolford Farm, near Guilford, on Friday and this was followed by a second outbreak at a second farm, close to the farm where the first outbreak occurred, on Monday.
A total of 214 cattle have been culled as a result of the discovery of the virus. However, it was revealed on Wednesday that a cull of livestock was taking place at a third farm in Surrey, close to the other two farms that were infected, as a precautionary measure.
A nationwide ban on the movement of cows, sheep and pigs was put in place, as well as an export ban. However, it was announced on Wednesday that the livestock movement ban will be eased from midnight.
(KMcA)
A number of lines of inquiry are being investigated, including the possibility that employees from a nearby research site could have spread the virus.
The Health and Safety Executive said that there was the possibility that the virus had been spread by "human movement" or "accidental or deliberate transfer" of materials from the site.
The HSE's preliminary findings revealed a "strong possibility" that the nearby Pirbright research centre - which houses both the private company Merial Animal Health and the government-run Institute for Animal Health (IAH) - was the source of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
It said that the chances of the virus being spread by flooding or through the air was "negligible".
It was earlier identified that the virus found at the first farm was the same as that stocked on the premises of both research facilities.
Merial had around 10,000 litres of the virus as it produced vaccines, while the IAH had much smaller amounts, reported to be less than 10 mililitres in each case, which were used in small-scale experiments.
The first outbreak of the virus was discovered at Woolford Farm, near Guilford, on Friday and this was followed by a second outbreak at a second farm, close to the farm where the first outbreak occurred, on Monday.
A total of 214 cattle have been culled as a result of the discovery of the virus. However, it was revealed on Wednesday that a cull of livestock was taking place at a third farm in Surrey, close to the other two farms that were infected, as a precautionary measure.
A nationwide ban on the movement of cows, sheep and pigs was put in place, as well as an export ban. However, it was announced on Wednesday that the livestock movement ban will be eased from midnight.
(KMcA)
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13 September 2007
Virus Strain 'Same In Foot-And-Mouth Outbreaks'
The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Surrey is "likely" to be the same strain that infected two farms in the area last month, the government has confirmed.
Virus Strain 'Same In Foot-And-Mouth Outbreaks'
The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Surrey is "likely" to be the same strain that infected two farms in the area last month, the government has confirmed.
31 May 2004
Contingency plan for deadly mosquito-borne virus published
A contingency plan to protect the UK against the mosquito-borne disease West Nile Virus has been published by the Chief Medical Officer today. Although the risk of acquiring West Nile Virus infection in the UK has been assessed as low, climate change and long-haul travel could contrive to see the disease spread to Britain.
Contingency plan for deadly mosquito-borne virus published
A contingency plan to protect the UK against the mosquito-borne disease West Nile Virus has been published by the Chief Medical Officer today. Although the risk of acquiring West Nile Virus infection in the UK has been assessed as low, climate change and long-haul travel could contrive to see the disease spread to Britain.
15 May 2003
UK's first SARS case confirmed
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09 August 2007
Legionnaires' Investigation At Surrey Laboratory
Officials are investigating a reported case of Legionnaires' disease, which may be linked to the Pirbright research site in Surrey. The site has also been linked to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which has affected two farms in Surrey.
Legionnaires' Investigation At Surrey Laboratory
Officials are investigating a reported case of Legionnaires' disease, which may be linked to the Pirbright research site in Surrey. The site has also been linked to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which has affected two farms in Surrey.
23 August 2007
EU Ban On British Meat To Be Lifted
The export ban on British meat and animal products is to be lifted on Saturday. While the ban will be lifted, a 10km zone ban will remain in place around the Surrey sites at the centre of the original source of the outbreak. Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the lifting of the ban imposed following the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak.
EU Ban On British Meat To Be Lifted
The export ban on British meat and animal products is to be lifted on Saturday. While the ban will be lifted, a 10km zone ban will remain in place around the Surrey sites at the centre of the original source of the outbreak. Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the lifting of the ban imposed following the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
