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New foot-and-mouth case suspected New foot-and-mouth case suspected
(about 2 hours later)
A suspected case of foot-and-mouth on a farm in Kent is being investigated, the UK's chief veterinary officer has said.A suspected case of foot-and-mouth on a farm in Kent is being investigated, the UK's chief veterinary officer has said.
Debby Reynolds said a control zone has been set up around the farm, which is in the Romney Marshes. Cattle have been tested and results are awaited.Debby Reynolds said a control zone has been set up around the farm, which is in the Romney Marshes. Cattle have been tested and results are awaited.
Dr Reynolds said the case was similar to one in Dorking, Surrey, last week, which turned out to be a false alarm.Dr Reynolds said the case was similar to one in Dorking, Surrey, last week, which turned out to be a false alarm.
Animals at two farms in Surrey tested positive for the disease earlier this month, and were culled. Environment secretary Hilary Benn told the BBC the new probe showed "we are not out of the woods yet".
Earlier this month, animals at two farms in Surrey tested positive for the disease, and were culled.
Three cattle at the Kent farm have been tested after "an inconclusive assessment of clinical symptoms" of the disease.Three cattle at the Kent farm have been tested after "an inconclusive assessment of clinical symptoms" of the disease.
A 3km (1.8 mile) temporary control zone has been put in place around the premises which is in the village of St Mary in the Marsh.A 3km (1.8 mile) temporary control zone has been put in place around the premises which is in the village of St Mary in the Marsh.
Dr Reynolds said the test results were expected by the end of Tuesday or early Wednesday. Dr Reynolds said the test results were expected by the end of Tuesday or early Wednesday. A spokeswoman for Defra said: "We're being ultra-cautious at this point. There's a continuing need for relentless vigilance in response to foot-and-mouth disease."
A spokeswoman for Defra said: "It's not unusual to put a temporary control zone in place.
"We're being ultra-cautious at this point. There's a continuing need for relentless vigilance in response to foot-and-mouth disease."
The farm is thought to have a herd of 250 dairy cattle.The farm is thought to have a herd of 250 dairy cattle.
'No need to panic''No need to panic'
This is the first suspected case outside Surrey during the outbreak.This is the first suspected case outside Surrey during the outbreak.
The new suspected case is in St Mary in the Marsh.The new suspected case is in St Mary in the Marsh.
Minister for the South East Jonathan Shaw said the farmer involved should be congratulated for his vigilance.Minister for the South East Jonathan Shaw said the farmer involved should be congratulated for his vigilance.
"We have also moved swiftly as we have done throughout this process and the temporary control zone will allow us to be precautionary while we wait for the lab results to come back," he said."We have also moved swiftly as we have done throughout this process and the temporary control zone will allow us to be precautionary while we wait for the lab results to come back," he said.
"There is no need to panic at this stage.""There is no need to panic at this stage."
A spokesman for the National Farmers' Union said he was hopeful the tests would prove negative.
"This is a case of a very vigilant farmer who's called in vets at the slightest sign there might be something wrong with his animals," he added.
Meanwhile, Culture Secretary James Purnell has announced a £1m aid package for the tourist industry, after it was hit by flooding and foot-and-mouth.Meanwhile, Culture Secretary James Purnell has announced a £1m aid package for the tourist industry, after it was hit by flooding and foot-and-mouth.
He announced the money, from the government and the UK's national tourism agency VisitBritain, during a visit to two tourist attractions - the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and Hatton Country World in Warwickshire.He announced the money, from the government and the UK's national tourism agency VisitBritain, during a visit to two tourist attractions - the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and Hatton Country World in Warwickshire.
It will be spent on a marketing campaign to encourage British people to "recognise what is on their doorstep" and holiday at home rather than abroad.It will be spent on a marketing campaign to encourage British people to "recognise what is on their doorstep" and holiday at home rather than abroad.
But Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said: "For the government to announce such a small increase in funding, having made substantial real term cuts to VisitBritain's budget, amounts to little more than an insult to the tourism industry."But Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said: "For the government to announce such a small increase in funding, having made substantial real term cuts to VisitBritain's budget, amounts to little more than an insult to the tourism industry."
Biosecurity review
Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August. A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August.Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August. A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August.
HOW FOOT-AND-MOUTH SPREADS Direct contact, from animal-to-animalFluid from an infected animal's blister; saliva, milk or dung also pass on the diseaseAnimals eating infected feedVirus can be spread by people or vehicles, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emerge Source: Defra Q&A: Foot-and-mouthHOW FOOT-AND-MOUTH SPREADS Direct contact, from animal-to-animalFluid from an infected animal's blister; saliva, milk or dung also pass on the diseaseAnimals eating infected feedVirus can be spread by people or vehicles, if not disinfected Airborne spread of disease also possibleAnimals can begin spreading virus before visible signs of disease emerge Source: Defra Q&A: Foot-and-mouth
A 3km (1.8 mile) control zone and a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone are still in place around those farms.A 3km (1.8 mile) control zone and a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone are still in place around those farms.
Tests on a third suspected case within the zone, where cattle were culled, proved negative, as did those on a fourth possible case also in Surrey but outside the surveillance zone. Tests on a third suspected case within the zone, where cattle were culled, proved negative, as did those on a fourth possible case also in Surrey.
On Monday, Dr Reynolds said this would be a "crucial week" in the fight against the disease, in terms of vigilance and planning ahead.
The government is awaiting the results of independent tests on soil taken from the original outbreak site at the Pirbright laboratories.The government is awaiting the results of independent tests on soil taken from the original outbreak site at the Pirbright laboratories.
The data is currently being analysed by the Health and Safety Executive. A review of biosecurity arrangements at Pirbright, led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, is also awaited.
When the outbreak began, a nationwide ban on movements of susceptible animals was put in place.When the outbreak began, a nationwide ban on movements of susceptible animals was put in place.
Some restrictions have since been lifted, but many movements of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned in England.Some restrictions have since been lifted, but many movements of livestock - such as sending animals to market - are still banned in England.
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