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| Legionnaires' probe at Pirbright | Legionnaires' probe at Pirbright |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A reported case of Legionnaires' disease linked to the Pirbright laboratory site in Surrey is being investigated by officials. | A reported case of Legionnaires' disease linked to the Pirbright laboratory site in Surrey is being investigated by officials. |
| The Health Protection Agency said the probe related to the Institute for Animal Health, which is on the site. | |
| The HPA says there is no link between foot-and-mouth and Legionnaires'. | The HPA says there is no link between foot-and-mouth and Legionnaires'. |
| Meanwhile, a government spokesperson has told the BBC that 362 animals have been culled at a third farm where foot-and-mouth is suspected. | Meanwhile, a government spokesperson has told the BBC that 362 animals have been culled at a third farm where foot-and-mouth is suspected. |
| The Institute was carrying out all necessary maintenance and monitoring work Health Protection Agency statement Legionnaires' disease href="/1/hi/england/6939296.stm">Charges over 'cordon breach' | |
| The Health and Safety Executive has said there is a "strong probability" that the recent foot and mouth outbreak began at Pirbright. | The Health and Safety Executive has said there is a "strong probability" that the recent foot and mouth outbreak began at Pirbright. |
| It is thought that the Legionnaires' case pre-dates the outbreak of foot and mouth. | It is thought that the Legionnaires' case pre-dates the outbreak of foot and mouth. |
| A statement from the HPA said its early findings indicated that an individual linked with Legionnaires' had been working at the ISO10 building on the Pirbright site. | A statement from the HPA said its early findings indicated that an individual linked with Legionnaires' had been working at the ISO10 building on the Pirbright site. |
| "These findings, backed up by temperature monitoring in the same area, suggested that the Institute was carrying out all necessary maintenance and monitoring work in compliance with the Approved Code of Practice for the control of Legionella," it continued. | "These findings, backed up by temperature monitoring in the same area, suggested that the Institute was carrying out all necessary maintenance and monitoring work in compliance with the Approved Code of Practice for the control of Legionella," it continued. |
| Investigators were examining where the patient had visited in the 10-14 days prior to falling ill, including their home, workplace and anywhere else they may have travelled to. | Investigators were examining where the patient had visited in the 10-14 days prior to falling ill, including their home, workplace and anywhere else they may have travelled to. |
| The statement added that results of tests carried out on further samples are still being awaited. | The statement added that results of tests carried out on further samples are still being awaited. |
| Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium that causes flu-like symptoms if it is converted into aerosol form from a water - for instance, in showers or spas - and then inhaled. | Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium that causes flu-like symptoms if it is converted into aerosol form from a water - for instance, in showers or spas - and then inhaled. |
| Still banned | Still banned |
| A European Union export ban on British meat and livestock remains in place. | A European Union export ban on British meat and livestock remains in place. |
| A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that 362 animals have been culled at a third farm, which is next to the second infected farm, on suspicion that the disease could be developing there. | A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that 362 animals have been culled at a third farm, which is next to the second infected farm, on suspicion that the disease could be developing there. |
| This brings the total number of animals culled so far to 576. | This brings the total number of animals culled so far to 576. |
| The Conservative MP for the area, Humphrey Malins, said he was impressed by the quick response to events. | The Conservative MP for the area, Humphrey Malins, said he was impressed by the quick response to events. |
| See layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge Image | See layout of laboratory complexes at Pirbright siteEnlarge Image |
| He said: "The government are following the best scientific advice that they can get and I have no particular reason to quarrel with that. | He said: "The government are following the best scientific advice that they can get and I have no particular reason to quarrel with that. |
| "This is a case where the government have learned lessons from 2001. They've reacted very quickly indeed on this." | "This is a case where the government have learned lessons from 2001. They've reacted very quickly indeed on this." |
| The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, on Friday and a second outbreak was confirmed at a farm on Monday. Cattle in both cases have been culled. | The first cases of foot-and-mouth were found in cattle at Woolford Farm, near Guildford, on Friday and a second outbreak was confirmed at a farm on Monday. Cattle in both cases have been culled. |
| Restrictions on taking animals to abattoirs have been lifted, but many movements of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned. | Restrictions on taking animals to abattoirs have been lifted, but many movements of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned. |
| Some restrictions had already been lifted in Scotland and Wales. | Some restrictions had already been lifted in Scotland and Wales. |
| Health inspectors are looking into the possibility that the disease was originally transferred by employees at vaccine manufacturer Merial, based just a few miles from the farms at the Pirbright site. | Health inspectors are looking into the possibility that the disease was originally transferred by employees at vaccine manufacturer Merial, based just a few miles from the farms at the Pirbright site. |
| Criticism | Criticism |
| Both Merial and Institute of Animal Health had been using the strain of the virus, but the HSE did not specify which of the two was to blame. | Both Merial and Institute of Animal Health had been using the strain of the virus, but the HSE did not specify which of the two was to blame. |
| READ THE FINDINGS Initial report into Pirbright site by Health and Safety Executive [94.5KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ THE FINDINGS Initial report into Pirbright site by Health and Safety Executive [94.5KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| It is understood, however, that investigations have discovered a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may use nearby allotments. | It is understood, however, that investigations have discovered a link between problems with drainage and the possible actions, accidental or deliberate, of Merial employees who may use nearby allotments. |
| Merial said it had conducted "intensive internal investigations" and had "complete confidence" in its processes and procedures. | Merial said it had conducted "intensive internal investigations" and had "complete confidence" in its processes and procedures. |
| It confirmed one of its employees had accompanied investigators to an allotment but said there was "no evidence linking this member of staff to the outbreak". | It confirmed one of its employees had accompanied investigators to an allotment but said there was "no evidence linking this member of staff to the outbreak". |
| At a meeting in Brussels, EU veterinary and food safety experts decided emergency measures banning all British exports of meat, milk products and live animals would remain in place until 25 August. | At a meeting in Brussels, EU veterinary and food safety experts decided emergency measures banning all British exports of meat, milk products and live animals would remain in place until 25 August. |
| The committee will meet again on 23 August. | The committee will meet again on 23 August. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday evening to discuss the outbreak. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday evening to discuss the outbreak. |
| Following criticism from some farmers and opposition parties, all footpaths within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone around the affected farms in Surrey have been closed. | Following criticism from some farmers and opposition parties, all footpaths within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone around the affected farms in Surrey have been closed. |
| A 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone is also in place. | A 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone is also in place. |