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New foot-and-mouth case suspected New foot-and-mouth cases probed
(20 minutes later)
A suspected case of foot-and-mouth on a farm in Kent is being investigated, the UK's chief veterinary officer has said. Two suspected cases of foot-and-mouth are 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 Romney Marsh. Cattle have been tested and results are awaited. Debby Reynolds said a control zone has been set up around a farm in Romney Marsh, Kent. 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. A second new control zone has been set up in Surrey. It is outside the zone imposed in the county after the disease outbreak earlier this month.
Meanwhile a new control zone has been set up in Surrey outside the existing restricted area of the county. Then animals at two farms tested positive for the virus and were culled.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the BBC the new probe showed "we are not out of the woods yet". Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the new investigations showed "we are not out of the woods yet".
'Inconclusive assessment''Inconclusive assessment'
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 Honeychild Manor Farm in the village of St Mary in the Marsh.A 3km (1.8 mile) temporary control zone has been put in place around Honeychild Manor Farm 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, but said the case was similar to one in Dorking, Surrey, last week, which turned out to be a false alarm.
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: "We're being ultra-cautious at this point. There's a continuing need for relentless vigilance in response to foot-and-mouth disease."
Defra confirmed the second new control zone in Surrey was outside the 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone in place around the original outbreak site.
Testing HopeTesting Hope
Farmer Steven Furnival, who runs the farm of 300 dairy cows, said he noticed some calves with unusual lesions on the muzzles of their mouths. Farmer Steven Furnival, who runs the farm of 300 dairy cows in Kent, said he noticed some calves with unusual lesions on the muzzles of their mouths.
The new suspected case is in St Mary in the Marsh.The new suspected case is in St Mary in the Marsh.
"Due to the current situation, I felt it was prudent to notify the authorities immediately," he said."Due to the current situation, I felt it was prudent to notify the authorities immediately," he said.
"Samples have been taken and sent away for testing. All we can do now is wait until we get the results, which we sincerely hope will be negative.""Samples have been taken and sent away for testing. All we can do now is wait until we get the results, which we sincerely hope will be negative."
This is the first suspected case outside Surrey during the outbreak.This is the first suspected case outside Surrey during the outbreak.
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."
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.
Surveillance zoneSurveillance zone
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.
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.
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
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.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.
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.
A review of biosecurity arrangements at Pirbright, led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, is also awaited.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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