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Foot-and-mouth test results due Kent farm clear of foot-and-mouth
(about 13 hours later)
Farmers and government vets are waiting for the outcome of tests on animals in Kent and Surrey to see if they have foot-and-mouth disease. Tests on cattle at a farm in Kent have conclusively shown the animals do not have foot-and-mouth, Defra has said.
Animals at a farm in Romney Marsh and at Chessington World of Adventures theme park were tested for the disease. The tests were carried out on suspect animals at the farm in Romney Marsh.
The UK's chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said on Tuesday two suspected cases were being investigated. Initial tests carried out on suspect animals at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey have also proved to be negative.
Two new control zones have been set up around the Surrey theme park and the farm in Kent. A south Wales meat plant was given the all-clear after a sheep that was giving cause for concern was assessed by vets, the Welsh Assembly said.
Chessington World of Adventures, which incorporates Chessington Zoo, is outside the restricted zone imposed in Surrey earlier this month after the foot-and-mouth outbreak was first detected. 'Precautionary measure'
In a statement, the park said it had called in vets and alerted Defra following concerns over one of its sheep. Foot-and-mouth has been confirmed at two farms in a 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone in Surrey, and two further farms in the county have been found clear of the disease.
A spokeswoman said: "As a precautionary measure and because of the high state of alert currently in place due to the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease, it was decided to immediately check all our cloven hoof stock for any signs of disease and do necessary tests." Two 3km (1.9 mile) control zones have been set up around the Surrey theme park and the farm in Kent.
"There is no reason to suspect that anything but a full clearance will be received from Defra," she added.
See map of suspected casesSee map of suspected cases
Chessington World of Adventures, which incorporates Chessington Zoo, said it had called in vets and alerted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following concerns over one of its sheep.
A spokeswoman said: "As a precautionary measure and because of the high state of alert currently in place due to the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease, it was decided to immediately check all our cloven hoof stock for any signs of disease and do necessary tests."
"There is no reason to suspect that anything but a full clearance will be received from Defra."
The Children's Zoo and Creature Features attractions are closed to the public, but the rest of the park and zoo remain open.The Children's Zoo and Creature Features attractions are closed to the public, but the rest of the park and zoo remain open.
Three cattle at the Kent farm have been tested after "an inconclusive assessment of clinical symptoms" of the disease. 'Absolutely delighted'
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. Three cattle at Honeychild Manor Farm in the village of St Mary in the Marsh were tested after "an inconclusive assessment of clinical symptoms" of the disease in the first suspected case outside Surrey.
Dr Reynolds said the two new farms presented "a very low level concern".
She said the case in Kent was similar to one in Dorking, Surrey, last week, which turned out to be a false alarm.
Testing hope
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.
"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."
This is the first suspected case outside Surrey during the outbreak.
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
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. 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.
Mr Furnival said he was "absolutely delighted" at the initial test results.
"I'm waiting for the final confirmation from Defra, and then restrictions will be lifted and life will go back to normal," he said.
"It's looking as though it's heading in the right direction."
'Very low risk'
UK chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds stressed the latest two results in Kent and Surrey were preliminary ones.
"We need to keep aware that we haven't got the final test results from these premises and there may be the need to set up further temporary control zones throughout the day," she said.
Cattle were suspected of the disease in Romney Marsh, Kent
Dr Reynolds said an epidemiology report led to the conclusion there was a "very low risk" of the disease spreading outside Surrey.
A sheep was assessed at the St Merryn meat plant in Merthyr Tydfil.
A Welsh Assembly government spokesperson said: "When anyone reports suspected disease, Animal Health vets will visit to make an assessment.
"This has happened before, and this is what happened at St Merryn's in Merthyr."
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.
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 surveillance zone, where cattle were culled, proved negative, as did those on a fourth possible case outside the zone 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. Some restrictions on movement 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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