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Foot-and-mouth strain identified Foot-and-mouth strain identified
(10 minutes later)
The strain of foot-and-mouth disease found at a Surrey farm has been identified, Defra has said.The strain of foot-and-mouth disease found at a Surrey farm has been identified, Defra has said.
The strain detected in infected cattle is identical to that used at the Institute for Animal Health, at Pirbright, three miles from the farm.The strain detected in infected cattle is identical to that used at the Institute for Animal Health, at Pirbright, three miles from the farm.
Defra could not say the laboratory was the source but has increased the size of the protection and surveillance zones covering farms in the area.Defra could not say the laboratory was the source but has increased the size of the protection and surveillance zones covering farms in the area.
An urgent assessment of biosecurity has begun at the institute.An urgent assessment of biosecurity has begun at the institute.
Precautionary measuresPrecautionary measures
The strain is not one normally found in animals but is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories.The strain is not one normally found in animals but is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories.
In a statement Defra said: "The present indications are that this strain is a 01 BFS67-like virus, isolated in the 1967 foot and mouth disease outbreak in Great Britain."In a statement Defra said: "The present indications are that this strain is a 01 BFS67-like virus, isolated in the 1967 foot and mouth disease outbreak in Great Britain."
A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place Enlarge ImageA 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place Enlarge Image
The vaccine batch which used the strain was being produced by pharmaceutical company Merial Animal Health. The strain was used in a vaccine batch manufactured last month by a private pharmaceutical company Merial Animal Health.
The firm shares Pirbright with the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) which conducts research into foot-and-mouth. The firm shares Pirbright with the government's Institute for Animal Health (IAH), which conducts research into foot-and-mouth and where the strain is also present.
Merial halted vaccine production as a precaution, Defra said. Merial voluntarily halted vaccine production as a precaution.
Defra said in its statement: "This incident remains at an early stage. It is too soon to reach any firm conclusions. Defra said: "This incident remains at an early stage. It is too soon to reach any firm conclusions.
"All potential sources of the virus will continue to be investigated."All potential sources of the virus will continue to be investigated.
"All other precautionary measures announced yesterday [Friday] remain in place.""All other precautionary measures announced yesterday [Friday] remain in place."
Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said it was too soon to say anything conclusive about the source of the virus but it was clear which strain was involved.Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said it was too soon to say anything conclusive about the source of the virus but it was clear which strain was involved.
"That is carried at the Pirbright facility, at Meriel for vaccine production, and indeed at the Institute for Animal Health, and the same premises on the same location for diagnostic purposes," she said. "That is carried at the Pirbright facility, at Meriel for vaccine production, and indeed at the Institute for Animal Health, on the same premises on the same location for diagnostic purposes," she said.
Merial said in a statement: "The decision to suspend production hasbeen taken in full consultation with Defra and will enable Defra to carry out a thorough investigation into all possible sources of this outbreak."
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 treatment What is foot-and-mouth?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 treatment What is foot-and-mouth?
She has ordered a single protection zone to encompass both the infected farm premises and the Pirbright site, with a single 10km radius surveillance zone. The UK's chief vet has ordered a single protection zone to encompass both the infected farm premises and the Pirbright site, with a single 10km radius surveillance zone.
There has been a cull of one other herd of cattle adjacent to the farm as a precautionary measure but there were no signs of infection in any animals there, Ms Reynolds confirmed.There has been a cull of one other herd of cattle adjacent to the farm as a precautionary measure but there were no signs of infection in any animals there, Ms Reynolds confirmed.
She appealed to farmers to be vigilant and to check their animals for any sign of foot-and-mouth disease.She appealed to farmers to be vigilant and to check their animals for any sign of foot-and-mouth disease.
Andrew Biggs, of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, said: "It doesn't surprise me greatly. The proximity of this farm to Pirbright was something some of us had noticed."Andrew Biggs, of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, said: "It doesn't surprise me greatly. The proximity of this farm to Pirbright was something some of us had noticed."
Leading microbiologist Hugh Pennington told the BBC that identification of the type of strain was a "tribute to the strength of the science of foot-and-mouth".Leading microbiologist Hugh Pennington told the BBC that identification of the type of strain was a "tribute to the strength of the science of foot-and-mouth".
Paul Temple, of the National Farmers' Union, said he was keeping an open mind over the situation.Paul Temple, of the National Farmers' Union, said he was keeping an open mind over the situation.
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
A UK-wide ban on the movement of livestock had already been put in place after foot-and-mouth was confirmed at Wolford farm, near Guildford, on Friday night.A UK-wide ban on the movement of livestock had already been put in place after foot-and-mouth was confirmed at Wolford farm, near Guildford, on Friday night.
Some 64 cattle have since been culled after testing positive for the foot-and-mouth.Some 64 cattle have since been culled after testing positive for the foot-and-mouth.
Following the outbreak on this farm a 3km protection zone was put in place around the premises, close to the village of Wanborough, to try to halt the spread of the disease which wreaked havoc across the UK in 2001.Following the outbreak on this farm a 3km protection zone was put in place around the premises, close to the village of Wanborough, to try to halt the spread of the disease which wreaked havoc across the UK in 2001.
There was also a 10km surveillance zone where nearby animals are monitored, as well as an 8km air exclusion zone around the site.There was also a 10km surveillance zone where nearby animals are monitored, as well as an 8km air exclusion zone around the site.
On Saturday evening Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired his second Cobra emergency committee meeting of the day on the issue after he cut short his Dorset holiday to return to London.On Saturday evening Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired his second Cobra emergency committee meeting of the day on the issue after he cut short his Dorset holiday to return to London.
He is due to chair another meeting of Cobra on Sunday morning.He is due to chair another meeting of Cobra on Sunday morning.
The outbreak in 2001 led to between 6.5 million and 10 million animals being destroyed and cost as much as £8.5bn.The outbreak in 2001 led to between 6.5 million and 10 million animals being destroyed and cost as much as £8.5bn.
Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.