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Farm infected with foot-and-mouth Farm infected with foot-and-mouth
(30 minutes later)
Cattle at a farm in Surrey have been found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease.Cattle at a farm in Surrey have been found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease.
Some 60 animals on the farm close to the village of Wanborough near Guildford have tested positive for the disease which wreaked havoc in 2001.Some 60 animals on the farm close to the village of Wanborough near Guildford have tested positive for the disease which wreaked havoc in 2001.
A 3km protection zone has been put in place around the premises and a UK ban imposed on movement of all livestock.A 3km protection zone has been put in place around the premises and a UK ban imposed on movement of all livestock.
Gordon Brown cancelled his holiday in Dorset and took part in a meeting of government's Cobra emergency committee.Gordon Brown cancelled his holiday in Dorset and took part in a meeting of government's Cobra emergency committee.
Very few human cases of foot-and-mouth disease have ever been recorded. The last human case reported in the UK occurred in 1966.Very few human cases of foot-and-mouth disease have ever been recorded. The last human case reported in the UK occurred in 1966.
In accordance with legislation, all cattle on the Surrey premises will be culled and incinerated, UK Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said.In accordance with legislation, all cattle on the Surrey premises will be culled and incinerated, UK Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said.
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in placeEnlarge ImageA 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in placeEnlarge Image
The farm has been under restrictions since late on Thursday when symptoms were reported.The farm has been under restrictions since late on Thursday when symptoms were reported.
Ms Reynolds confirmed the outbreak after samples were taken from the farm.Ms Reynolds confirmed the outbreak after samples were taken from the farm.
She said: "We are trying to form a picture of where the infection may have come from but at the moment it's very early stages.She said: "We are trying to form a picture of where the infection may have come from but at the moment it's very early stages.
"It is the absolute priority at the moment to prevent further spread, and piece together information about how it might have got there in the first place.""It is the absolute priority at the moment to prevent further spread, and piece together information about how it might have got there in the first place."
Even the words 'foot-and-mouth' will send a chill through the spine of every farmer in the country Tim Bonner, Countryside AllianceEven the words 'foot-and-mouth' will send a chill through the spine of every farmer in the country Tim Bonner, Countryside Alliance
Gordon Brown is returning to London on Saturday and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is to break off from his holiday in Italy.Gordon Brown is returning to London on Saturday and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is to break off from his holiday in Italy.
The Cobra committee is to reconvene on Saturday morning to review latest developments.The Cobra committee is to reconvene on Saturday morning to review latest developments.
Ms Reynolds advised farmers across the UK to examine their animals carefully and immediately report anything suspicious.Ms Reynolds advised farmers across the UK to examine their animals carefully and immediately report anything suspicious.
As well as the 3km protection zone, there is also a 10km surveillance zone where nearby animals are monitored.As well as the 3km protection zone, there is also a 10km surveillance zone where nearby animals are monitored.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattleSymptoms include fever, lesions in the mouth and lamenessThe disease only crosses the species barrier from cattle to human with very great difficultyThe disease in humans is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatmentFOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattleSymptoms include fever, lesions in the mouth and lamenessThe disease only crosses the species barrier from cattle to human with very great difficultyThe disease in humans is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatment
The outbreak in 2001 led to between 6.5 million and 10 million animals being destroyed and cost as much as £8.5bn. Many farms and other rural businesses were ruined.The outbreak in 2001 led to between 6.5 million and 10 million animals being destroyed and cost as much as £8.5bn. Many farms and other rural businesses were ruined.
Sir Brian Follett chaired the Infectious Diseases in Livestock Inquiry into the 2001 outbreak.Sir Brian Follett chaired the Infectious Diseases in Livestock Inquiry into the 2001 outbreak.
He said: "Outbreaks of this type will occur. It is unfortunate it has only been six years since the last one."He said: "Outbreaks of this type will occur. It is unfortunate it has only been six years since the last one."
He said the authorities would "have to do everything to stop it becoming an epidemic".He said the authorities would "have to do everything to stop it becoming an epidemic".
The vaccination of cattle should only be considered if the current outbreak turned into an epidemic, he added.The vaccination of cattle should only be considered if the current outbreak turned into an epidemic, he added.
'Ultra-vigilant''Ultra-vigilant'
National Farmers' Union President Peter Kendall said of the latest incident: "We have to ensure this is a small isolated incident. We are working with the government to ensure the right steps are taken."National Farmers' Union President Peter Kendall said of the latest incident: "We have to ensure this is a small isolated incident. We are working with the government to ensure the right steps are taken."
And Hugh Brown, of Surrey NFU, said farmers in the county would be "ultra-vigilant for spotting any signs of abnormality on their farms".And Hugh Brown, of Surrey NFU, said farmers in the county would be "ultra-vigilant for spotting any signs of abnormality on their farms".
HAVE YOUR SAY The outbreak is not the problem. It is the reaction (and response) to it that matters. MB, Edgware Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The outbreak is not the problem. It is the reaction (and response) to it that matters. MB, Edgware Send us your comments
Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of microbiology at Aberdeen University, said: "Speed is of the essence here.Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of microbiology at Aberdeen University, said: "Speed is of the essence here.
"We have got to really stop this virus spreading, obviously first of all to stamp it out in the locality where it has been identified and then see whether the virus has got anywhere else."We have got to really stop this virus spreading, obviously first of all to stamp it out in the locality where it has been identified and then see whether the virus has got anywhere else.
"The hope will be that this is the end of the outbreak.""The hope will be that this is the end of the outbreak."
Tim Bonner, from the Countryside Alliance, said: "Even the words 'foot-and-mouth' will send a chill through the spine of every farmer in the country."Tim Bonner, from the Countryside Alliance, said: "Even the words 'foot-and-mouth' will send a chill through the spine of every farmer in the country."
The Welsh Assembly government said no link to Wales from the infected premises had been identified.The Welsh Assembly government said no link to Wales from the infected premises had been identified.
Meanwhile, in Cumbria, one of the areas hardest hit by the 2001 outbreak, the Cockermouth and District Agricultural Show, due to take place on Saturday, has been cancelled.Meanwhile, in Cumbria, one of the areas hardest hit by the 2001 outbreak, the Cockermouth and District Agricultural Show, due to take place on Saturday, has been cancelled.
Defra has opened up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak. It is on 08459 335577. Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.


Do you live near the affected farm? Have you done business with it? Are you a farmer in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. Please include a phone number if you're happy for us to contact you.Do you live near the affected farm? Have you done business with it? Are you a farmer in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. Please include a phone number if you're happy for us to contact you.
You can send your pictures or video footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoYou can send your pictures or video footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks, do anything that might risk spreading the disease or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks, do anything that might risk spreading the disease or infringe any laws.
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