September 10, 2007

UK health agency says Pirbright facility at heart of FMD outbreak

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on September 7 said the Pirbright animal research facility in Surrey, southeast England, was the source of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, but said it isn't clear which laboratory was the source.

The HSE said there was no evidence of biosecurity breaches at the Merial facility, which is on the same site as the government-run Institute for Animal Health, but said there was a lack of communication between the two facilities and said Merial must minimize the possibility of a virus release.

Merial, an animal vaccine company, is a joint venture between Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) and Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK).

The report said there was evidence the drainage system at Pirbright was overwhelmed and antiquated.

The HSE report recommended the Institute for Animal Health is quickly replaced, and called on the government to make funding available for this. The facility is due to be replaced by 2012.

Speaking at a press conference, the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said she is satisfied the outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which began 35 days ago, is now over. She said the surveillance zone in Surrey will be lifted on Saturday, as will nationwide restrictions on the movement of animals.

Reynolds said the UK would regain its international foot-and-mouth free status no earlier than Nov. 7.