August 6, 2007

 

Foot-and-mouth-disease outbreak in UK

 

Cattle at a farm in Surrey, southern England, have been found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease, the BBC reported on its Web site Friday (August 3), citing the UK government.

 

Animals on a farm near Guildford have tested positive for the disease, which swept the UK and wreaked havoc in 2001.

 

A three-kilometre protection zone has been put in place around the premises, and a UK-wide ban has been imposed on movement of all cattle and pigs.

 

In accordance with legislation, all cattle on the premises will be culled, said a government spokesman.

 

The farm has been under restrictions since late Thursday when symptoms were reported.

 

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds confirmed the outbreak after samples were taken from the farm.

 

She said: "We are trying to form a picture of where the infection may have come from but at the moment it's on very early stages."

 

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has taken part by telephone in an emergency meeting involving top staff at the Cabinet Office.

 

He is returning to London Saturday from his holiday in Dorset and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is to break off from his vacation in Italy.

 

Reynolds advised farmers across the UK to examine their animals carefully and immediately report anything suspicious.

 

As well as the three-kilometre protection zone, there is also a 10-kilometer surveillance zone where nearby animals are monitored.

 

National Farmers' Union President Peter Kendall said: "This is a matter of grave concern. We have an industry still depressed from low prices.

 

"We have to ensure this is a small isolated incident. We are working with the government to ensure the right steps are taken."