August 14, 2007

UK hopes end of FMD crisis

Great Britain hopes that the recent crisis around Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks may end soon.

A new suspected farm, near the village of Dorking in Surrey, proved negative of FMD as the animals were most probably suffering from pneumonia. No other outbreaks were reported, thus, affected sites remain only two.

Earlier investigations state that the infection likely came from one of the two nearby laboratories in Pirbright, Surrey, which were experimenting with FMD vaccines.

For now, the British government has not implemented vaccination as they wait for the conclusion of the investigation.

Debby Reynolds, director general of the British Animal Health Welfare and chief veterinary officer, said she believes there is a low risk of the infection spreading outside the county.

Nevertheless, she emphasised that people could still transport the disease that is why all security measures are not lifted yet.

The British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) also said this weekend that a number of 280 pigs were also culled at one of the infected properties.