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Outbreak source 'linked to lab' Outbreak source 'linked to labs'
(20 minutes later)
Inspectors have said there is a "strong probability" that a foot-and-mouth strain involved in the farm outbreak originated at a nearby research site. There is a "strong probability" the foot-and-mouth outbreak began at a research site, inspectors have said.
But the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said either the private firm Merial, or the state-run Institute for Animal Health, could be the source. Either the private company Merial, or the state-run Institute for Animal Health, both based at the Pirbright site, could be the source, they said.
It found no evidence of airborne transmission but said it could have been the result of human movement. A Health and Safety Executive report found no evidence of airborne transmission but said it could have been the result of human movement.
The first case was confirmed at a farm near the Pirbright research site. "Accidental or deliberate transfer" is being investigated as a possibility.
The National Farmers Union has said there is "incredulity and shock" that a research facility that works to protect against disease, could have been the source of the outbreak. The National Farmers' Union has said there is "incredulity and shock" that a research facility that works to protect against disease, could have been the source of the outbreak.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released its interim report on Tuesday evening, confirming the strain that was found on Woolford farm, near Guildford in Surrey on Friday, was the same as that being worked on at the Pirbright site. The Health and Safety Executive's interim report confirmed the strain found on Woolford farm, near Guildford in Surrey on Friday, was the same as that being worked on at the nearby Pirbright site.
Release by human movement must also be considered a real possibility HSERelease by human movement must also be considered a real possibility HSE
The private vaccine manufacturer Merial was involved in "large scale production" of the strain - about 10,000 litres, while the Institute was carrying out "small scale" experiments. Vaccine manufacturer Merial was involved in "large scale production" of the strain - about 10,000 litres, while the Institute was carrying out "small scale" experiments, it said.
The HSE report said there was no evidence that working practices, or any spills or leaks from equipment could have led to the release of the virus. The report said there was no evidence that working practices, or any spills or leaks from equipment were to blame.
There was a "negligible" risk that it was carried on the wind or through water, caused by flooding.There was a "negligible" risk that it was carried on the wind or through water, caused by flooding.
But there were "various potential routes for accidental or deliberate transfer of material from the site" and various lines of inquiry were being pursued.But there were "various potential routes for accidental or deliberate transfer of material from the site" and various lines of inquiry were being pursued.
"Release by human movement must also be considered a real possibility," the report said."Release by human movement must also be considered a real possibility," the report said.
"Further investigation of the above issues is required and is being urgently pursued.""Further investigation of the above issues is required and is being urgently pursued."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "hopeful" a second report would be published on Wednesday.
"We will continue these investigations so we get an isolation of the disease itself, and an isolation of the cause of the disease," he said.