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Disease experts probe farm flood Disease experts probe farm flood
(about 1 hour later)
Government experts striving to find the source of a foot-and-mouth outbreak are investigating whether flooding may be to blame, the BBC understands. Experts searching for the source of a foot-and-mouth outbreak are looking into whether flooding may be to blame.
The BBC's Pallab Ghosh said flooding on Wolford farm, near Guildford, in Surrey may have been the means by which animals became infected with the virus. Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said flooding was one possible means by which animals may have been infected on a farm near Guildford, Surrey.
Inspectors have yet to confirm whether the nearby Pirbright research site, which stocked the virus, is the source.Inspectors have yet to confirm whether the nearby Pirbright research site, which stocked the virus, is the source.
The prime minister said "every effort" was being made to contain the disease. Ms Reynolds said no decision had been made on vaccines, but they had been ordered as part of a contingency plan.
Speaking after a visit to the Regional Disease Control Centre in Reigate, Surrey, Gordon Brown said it was a difficult time. National Farmers' Union (NFU) boss Richard MacDonald said vaccination - resisted by some who fear it would jeopardise exports - "may well have to play a part", but said he had received assurances that any decision would be based on "good science".
Farmers' angerFarmers' anger
But he added: "I hope in a short period of time we can say we have contained, controlled and eradicated this disease." Ms Reynolds said the priority remained containment, adding: "It is important that no animals move in Great Britain. Maintaining the current movement restrictions is part of our overall strategy."
Asked about farmers' anger that a research site could be the cause of the outbreak, the prime minister urged people not to pre-judge the outcome of the investigations currently under way. Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited a regional disease control centre in Reigate, Surrey, and said "every effort" was being made to contain the disease.
He said "every possible source" was being investigated, adding: "I want to be able to ensure people every effort is being made and people here are working night and day to contain this disease." Asked about farmers' anger that a research site could be the cause of the outbreak, the prime minister urged people not to prejudge the outcome of the investigations currently under way.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN NUMBERS Around 120 cattle culled111,000 farms across UK affected by movement banThat includes 10m cattle, 23m sheep and 5m pigs Send us your comments FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN NUMBERS Around 120 cattle culled111,000 farms across UK affected by movement banThat includes 10m cattle, 23m sheep and 5m pigs Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6932311.stm">N. Ireland exempt from ban class="" href="/1/hi/england/surrey/6933668.stm">Lives on hold class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/6932852.stm">Scots push for early exports
"We've tested in up to 100 different farming establishments. We've been testing, obviously, pigs, cattle, sheep and in some cases goats. He said "every possible source" was being investigated, up to 100 different farming establishments had been tested and 150 staff were working on the tests.
"It's very important that all the tests are done and checked, particularly obviously with blood tests on sheep. That is being carried out by 150 staff." "People here are working night and day to contain this disease," he said.
The National Farmers' Union says its members will be "rightly horrified" if the vaccine centre is to blame - inspectors hope to have the results of their inquiry by Tuesday. Mr MacDonald said it would be a "body blow" if the vaccine centre was to blame, but urged people to wait for the results of the inspection - which are expected on Tuesday.
Flood investigated Farm flood
Farmer Derrick Pride, whose cattle were at the centre of the outbreak, said: "It is nothing to do with us. It is not our fault. It is something beyond our control." The BBC's science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh, said he understands that government scientists are looking into whether a flood on 20 July at Wolford farm - where the disease was confirmed on Friday - might have been the means by which animals became infected.
The BBC's science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh, said he understands that government scientists are looking into whether a flood at Wolford farm - where the disease was confirmed on Friday - might have been the means by which animals became infected.
He said an investigation of the cuts on the mouths of the cows suggested that they were infected sometime between 18 and 22 July. Computer modelling suggests that airborne transmission from the Pirbright site is a possibility - but unlikely, he said.He said an investigation of the cuts on the mouths of the cows suggested that they were infected sometime between 18 and 22 July. Computer modelling suggests that airborne transmission from the Pirbright site is a possibility - but unlikely, he said.
The government says no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in the past 24 hours. About 97 cows have been culled on two neighbouring farms - most as a precaution due to "potentially dangerous contact". Ms Reynolds said "all factors, including flooding and movements" were being investigated.
Defra has widened the size of the protection and surveillance zonesEnlarge MapDefra has widened the size of the protection and surveillance zonesEnlarge Map
"There is a particular interest in a particular area of the farm where there was some flood water," she added.
But the NFU said it was important to consider all possibilities and not to rule anything out.
The government says no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in the past 24 hours. About 97 cows have been culled on two neighbouring farms - most as a precaution due to "potentially dangerous contact".
Meanwhile the European Commission has formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.Meanwhile the European Commission has formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.
Bio security denial
Two facilities at the Pirbright complex were using a strain of the virus, for research and for vaccines, which was then discovered at Wolford farm, four miles away.Two facilities at the Pirbright complex were using a strain of the virus, for research and for vaccines, which was then discovered at Wolford farm, four miles away.
The private pharmaceutical company Merial had most recently used the strain but both it, and the Institute for Animal Health, have denied any breach in biosecurity. The private pharmaceutical company Merial had most recently used the strain but both it, and the Institute for Animal Health, have denied any breach in bio security.
Biosecurity denial Merial has suspended vaccine production but says it has "complete confidence" in its bio security measures and to date its investigations have shown "no breach" in procedures.
After meeting Mr Brown at Downing Street on Monday, NFU President Peter Kendall said his members were "angry and very, very concerned" about speculation linking the virus to the Pirbright facilities.
"It cannot be the case that we have a scientific institution that actually releases disease into the environment, and our members will be quite rightly horrified," he said.
Merial has suspended vaccine production but says it has "complete confidence" in its biosecurity measures and to date its investigations have shown "no breach" in procedures.
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?
Protection and surveillance zones covering farms in the area have been expanded to 10km (6.2 miles).Protection and surveillance zones covering farms in the area have been expanded to 10km (6.2 miles).
But there has been some criticism that footpaths remain open in the area.But there has been some criticism that footpaths remain open in the area.
Conservative leader David Cameron said: "Of course we want the countryside to be open for business but within the exclusion zone it's very important that people don't actually walk from farm to farm, otherwise there will be a risk of spreading it."Conservative leader David Cameron said: "Of course we want the countryside to be open for business but within the exclusion zone it's very important that people don't actually walk from farm to farm, otherwise there will be a risk of spreading it."
Stephen Bowers, who owns a smallholding on the edge of the exclusion zone, also said bridleways were open and wild deer were freely moving across the area adding: "The countryside is open and it's open to infection."Stephen Bowers, who owns a smallholding on the edge of the exclusion zone, also said bridleways were open and wild deer were freely moving across the area adding: "The countryside is open and it's open to infection."
'Prompt response''Prompt response'
The government has imposed a ban on the movement of all livestock in England, Scotland and Wales. The EC has endorsed a British ban on exporting cattle and animal products. Northern Ireland, which has imposed a ban on all cattle, sheep and pigs from Britain, has been excluded.The government has imposed a ban on the movement of all livestock in England, Scotland and Wales. The EC has endorsed a British ban on exporting cattle and animal products. Northern Ireland, which has imposed a ban on all cattle, sheep and pigs from Britain, has been excluded.
A spokesman said the EC was "very happy with the prompt response of the British authorities."A spokesman said the EC was "very happy with the prompt response of the British authorities."
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has urged people to remain vigilant as the source of the outbreak has not been confirmed.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has urged people to remain vigilant as the source of the outbreak has not been confirmed.
Prof Martin Shirley insisted IAH procedures had not been breachedProf Martin Shirley insisted IAH procedures had not been breached
He said that the facilities at Pirbright were being redeveloped following a report made in 2002, as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak the previous year, which had criticisms of the institute.He said that the facilities at Pirbright were being redeveloped following a report made in 2002, as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak the previous year, which had criticisms of the institute.
Last year the institute expressed concerns about cuts to its funding in written evidence given to MPs.Last year the institute expressed concerns about cuts to its funding in written evidence given to MPs.
The strain of foot-and-mouth identified is not one normally found in animals but is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories.The strain of foot-and-mouth identified is not one normally found in animals but is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories.
A review of biosecurity measures at Pirbright will be led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, who will report back to Mr Benn. A review of bio security measures at Pirbright will be led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, who will report back to Mr Benn.
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.
How have you or your business been affected as a result of this outbreak? Send us your comments using the form below, and please include a telephone number if you don't mind us contacting you:How have you or your business been affected as a result of this outbreak? Send us your comments using the form below, and please include a telephone number if you don't mind us contacting you:
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