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13/09/2007
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.
The Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that initial tests had revealed that the virus found at the Milton Park Farm in Stroude Road in Egham was similar to that found at the other two farms, close to the Pirbright research site.
The farm in Egham is ten miles from the scene of the previous outbreak. All cattle at the farm and at a neighbouring farm also suspected of being infected have been slaughtered, a 10km exclusion zone is in place around the site of the infection and a national ban on the movement of livestock, except for emergency slaughter, is again in force.
It has also emerged vets in Norfolk are investigating the case of a sick pig at a farm there and a temporary exclusion zone has been set up around the site.
Foot-and-mouth cases were confirmed at two farms in Surrey last month. A report suggested that the likely source of the outbreak was the nearby Pirbright research site, which is shared by private pharmaceutical company Merial and the Institute for Animal Health. However, the report said it was not clear which of the labs was responsible.
Last Friday, the government said that the affected area was now free of foot-and-mouth and is now facing criticism that it declared Britain free of foot-and-mouth too quickly.
However, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that the decision to give the all clear was made on the basis of scientific evidence.
He said that it was a decision "made by the chief vet (Debby Reynolds) and it was "supported by many academic experts and that there was absolutely no truth" in any suggestion political pressure had been applied to influence the chief vet.
The spokesperson also said that tests were still being carried out on the latest samples to discover definitively which strain of the virus was involved.
Mr Brown chaired another meeting of the government's civil contingency committee on Thursday morning to discuss the latest outbreak. Speaking on Wednesday, he said that he fully understood the "anxieties and worries" the farming community are experiencing and added that the government would do everything "to get to the root cause" of the outbreak and to "control and eradicate" the disease.
However, speaking on Wednesday, Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "It seems possible that, in their eagerness to put the issue behind them, they relaxed security measures too early. I fear that farmers may pay a heavy price for the government's complacency."
(KMcA/SP)
The Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that initial tests had revealed that the virus found at the Milton Park Farm in Stroude Road in Egham was similar to that found at the other two farms, close to the Pirbright research site.
The farm in Egham is ten miles from the scene of the previous outbreak. All cattle at the farm and at a neighbouring farm also suspected of being infected have been slaughtered, a 10km exclusion zone is in place around the site of the infection and a national ban on the movement of livestock, except for emergency slaughter, is again in force.
It has also emerged vets in Norfolk are investigating the case of a sick pig at a farm there and a temporary exclusion zone has been set up around the site.
Foot-and-mouth cases were confirmed at two farms in Surrey last month. A report suggested that the likely source of the outbreak was the nearby Pirbright research site, which is shared by private pharmaceutical company Merial and the Institute for Animal Health. However, the report said it was not clear which of the labs was responsible.
Last Friday, the government said that the affected area was now free of foot-and-mouth and is now facing criticism that it declared Britain free of foot-and-mouth too quickly.
However, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that the decision to give the all clear was made on the basis of scientific evidence.
He said that it was a decision "made by the chief vet (Debby Reynolds) and it was "supported by many academic experts and that there was absolutely no truth" in any suggestion political pressure had been applied to influence the chief vet.
The spokesperson also said that tests were still being carried out on the latest samples to discover definitively which strain of the virus was involved.
Mr Brown chaired another meeting of the government's civil contingency committee on Thursday morning to discuss the latest outbreak. Speaking on Wednesday, he said that he fully understood the "anxieties and worries" the farming community are experiencing and added that the government would do everything "to get to the root cause" of the outbreak and to "control and eradicate" the disease.
However, speaking on Wednesday, Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "It seems possible that, in their eagerness to put the issue behind them, they relaxed security measures too early. I fear that farmers may pay a heavy price for the government's complacency."
(KMcA/SP)
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08 August 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.
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.
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.
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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.
07 August 2007
Second Outbreak Of Foot-And-Mouth Confirmed
A second case of foot-and-mouth has been confirmed at another farm in Surrey, close to the site of the first outbreak. The cattle at the farm was culled as soon as the signs were spotted on Monday, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn confirmed.
Second Outbreak Of Foot-And-Mouth Confirmed
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14 October 2008
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14 September 2007
FMD Restrictions Eased Outside England
Restrictions on the movement of animals following the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England have been eased in Scotland and Wales. The restrictions have been eased in order to allow farmers to transport livestock for slaughter, but they still remain unable to move animals for any other reasons.
FMD Restrictions Eased Outside England
Restrictions on the movement of animals following the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England have been eased in Scotland and Wales. The restrictions have been eased in order to allow farmers to transport livestock for slaughter, but they still remain unable to move animals for any other reasons.
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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.
