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Disease experts probe farm flood Disease experts probe farm flood
(30 minutes later)
Experts searching for the source of a foot-and-mouth outbreak are looking into whether flooding may be to blame.Experts searching for the source of a foot-and-mouth outbreak are looking into whether flooding may be to blame.
Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said flooding was one possible means by which animals may have been infected on a farm near Guildford, Surrey.Chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said flooding was one possible means by which animals may have been infected on a farm near Guildford, Surrey.
Inspectors have yet to confirm whether the nearby Pirbright research site, which stocked the virus, is the source.Inspectors have yet to confirm whether the nearby Pirbright research site, which stocked the virus, is the source.
Earlier, the government said no new cases of the disease had been reported in the previous 24 hours.Earlier, the government said no new cases of the disease had been reported in the previous 24 hours.
Ms Reynolds said no decision had been made on vaccines, but they had been ordered in line with the contingency plan. Ms Reynolds said no decision had been made on vaccines for livestock, but they had been ordered in line with the contingency plan.
National Farmers' Union (NFU) boss Richard MacDonald said vaccination - resisted by some who fear it would jeopardise exports - "may well have to play a part", but said he had received assurances that any decision would be based on "good science".National Farmers' Union (NFU) boss Richard MacDonald said vaccination - resisted by some who fear it would jeopardise exports - "may well have to play a part", but said he had received assurances that any decision would be based on "good science".
Farmers' angerFarmers' anger
Ms Reynolds said the priority remained containment, adding: "It is important that no animals move in Great Britain. Maintaining the current movement restrictions is part of our overall strategy." Ms Reynolds said the priority remained containment, adding: "It is important that no animals move in Great Britain."
Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited a regional disease control centre in Reigate, Surrey, and said "every effort" was being made to contain the disease.Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited a regional disease control centre in Reigate, Surrey, and said "every effort" was being made to contain the disease.
Asked about farmers' anger that a research site could be the cause of the outbreak, the prime minister urged people not to prejudge the outcome of the investigations currently under way.Asked about farmers' anger that a research site could be the cause of the outbreak, the prime minister urged people not to prejudge the outcome of the investigations currently under way.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN NUMBERS Around 120 cattle culled111,000 farms across UK affected by movement banThat includes 10m cattle, 23m sheep and 5m pigs Send us your comments N. Ireland exempt from ban Lives on hold Scots push for early exportsFOOT-AND-MOUTH IN NUMBERS Around 120 cattle culled111,000 farms across UK affected by movement banThat includes 10m cattle, 23m sheep and 5m pigs Send us your comments N. Ireland exempt from ban Lives on hold Scots push for early exports
He said "every possible source" was being investigated, up to 100 different farming establishments had been tested and 150 staff were working on the tests.He said "every possible source" was being investigated, up to 100 different farming establishments had been tested and 150 staff were working on the tests.
"People here are working night and day to contain this disease," he said. Mr MacDonald said it would be a "body blow" if the vaccine centre was to blame, but also urged people to wait for the results of the inspection - which are expected on Tuesday.
Mr MacDonald said it would be a "body blow" if the vaccine centre was to blame, but urged people to wait for the results of the inspection - which are expected on Tuesday.
Farm floodFarm flood
The BBC's science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh, said he understands that government scientists are looking into whether a flood on 20 July at Wolford farm - where the disease was confirmed on Friday - might have been the means by which animals became infected.The BBC's science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh, said he understands that government scientists are looking into whether a flood on 20 July at Wolford farm - where the disease was confirmed on Friday - might have been the means by which animals became infected.
He said an investigation of the cuts on the mouths of the cows suggested that they were infected sometime between 18 and 22 July. Computer modelling suggests that airborne transmission from the Pirbright site is a possibility - but unlikely, he said.He said an investigation of the cuts on the mouths of the cows suggested that they were infected sometime between 18 and 22 July. Computer modelling suggests that airborne transmission from the Pirbright site is a possibility - but unlikely, he said.
Ms Reynolds said "all factors, including flooding and movements" were being investigated.Ms Reynolds said "all factors, including flooding and movements" were being investigated.
Defra has widened the size of the protection and surveillance zonesEnlarge MapDefra has widened the size of the protection and surveillance zonesEnlarge Map
"There is a particular interest in a particular area of the farm where there was some flood water," she added."There is a particular interest in a particular area of the farm where there was some flood water," she added.
The NFU said it was important to consider all possibilities and not to rule anything out.
About 97 cows have been culled on two neighbouring farms - most as a precaution because of "potentially dangerous contact".About 97 cows have been culled on two neighbouring farms - most as a precaution because of "potentially dangerous contact".
Meanwhile, the European Commission has formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.Meanwhile, the European Commission has formalised a ban on British exports of meat, milk products and live animals.
Bio security denial Supermarkets in the UK have said they are not expecting any shortages of meat following the outbreak.
Bio-security denial
Two facilities at the Pirbright complex were using a strain of the virus, for research and for vaccines, which was then discovered at Wolford farm, four miles away.Two facilities at the Pirbright complex were using a strain of the virus, for research and for vaccines, which was then discovered at Wolford farm, four miles away.
The private pharmaceutical company Merial had most recently used the strain but both it, and the Institute for Animal Health, have denied any breach in bio security. The private pharmaceutical company Merial had most recently used the strain but both it, and the Institute for Animal Health, have denied any breach in bio-security.
Merial has suspended vaccine production but says it has "complete confidence" in its bio security measures and to date its investigations have shown "no breach" in procedures. Merial has suspended vaccine production but says it has "complete confidence" in its bio-security measures.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattleSymptoms include fever, lesions in the mouth and lamenessThe disease only crosses the species barrier from cattle to human with very great difficultyThe disease in humans is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatment What is foot-and-mouth?FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattleSymptoms include fever, lesions in the mouth and lamenessThe disease only crosses the species barrier from cattle to human with very great difficultyThe disease in humans is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatment What is foot-and-mouth?
Protection and surveillance zones covering farms in the area have been expanded to 10km (6.2 miles).Protection and surveillance zones covering farms in the area have been expanded to 10km (6.2 miles).
But there has been some criticism that footpaths remain open in the area.But there has been some criticism that footpaths remain open in the area.
Conservative leader David Cameron said: "Of course we want the countryside to be open for business but within the exclusion zone it's very important that people don't actually walk from farm to farm, otherwise there will be a risk of spreading it."Conservative leader David Cameron said: "Of course we want the countryside to be open for business but within the exclusion zone it's very important that people don't actually walk from farm to farm, otherwise there will be a risk of spreading it."
Stephen Bowers, who owns a smallholding on the edge of the exclusion zone, also said bridleways were open and wild deer were freely moving across the area adding: "The countryside is open and it's open to infection." Stephen Bowers, who owns a smallholding on the edge of the exclusion zone, also said bridleways were open and wild deer were freely moving across the area.
But Ms Reynolds said: "Only on the infected premises, and based on veterinary advice, do we always shut footpaths."
She said "some parks, safari parks and other wildlife centres" had closed paths as a precaution, but Defra was not advising that such action was necessary.
'Prompt response''Prompt response'
The government has imposed a ban on the movement of all livestock in England, Scotland and Wales. The EC has endorsed a British ban on exporting cattle and animal products. Northern Ireland, which has imposed a ban on all cattle, sheep and pigs from Britain, has been excluded. The government has imposed a ban on the movement of all livestock in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland, which has imposed a ban on all cattle, sheep and pigs from Britain, has been excluded.
A spokesman said the EC was "very happy with the prompt response of the British authorities."
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has urged people to remain vigilant as the source of the outbreak has not been confirmed.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has urged people to remain vigilant as the source of the outbreak has not been confirmed.
Prof Martin Shirley insisted IAH procedures had not been breachedProf Martin Shirley insisted IAH procedures had not been breached
He said that the facilities at Pirbright were being redeveloped following a report made in 2002, as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak the previous year, which had criticisms of the institute.He said that the facilities at Pirbright were being redeveloped following a report made in 2002, as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak the previous year, which had criticisms of the institute.
Last year the institute expressed concerns about cuts to its funding in written evidence given to MPs.Last year the institute expressed concerns about cuts to its funding in written evidence given to MPs.
The strain of foot-and-mouth identified is not one normally found in animals but is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories.The strain of foot-and-mouth identified is not one normally found in animals but is used in vaccine production and in diagnostic laboratories.
A review of bio security measures at Pirbright will be led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, who will report back to Mr Benn.A review of bio security measures at Pirbright will be led by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London, who will report back to Mr Benn.
The outbreak in 2001 led to between 6.5 million and 10 million animals being destroyed and cost as much as £8.5bn.The outbreak in 2001 led to between 6.5 million and 10 million animals being destroyed and cost as much as £8.5bn.
Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.Defra has set up a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.
How have you or your business been affected as a result of this outbreak? Send us your comments using the form below, and please include a telephone number if you don't mind us contacting you:How have you or your business been affected as a result of this outbreak? Send us your comments using the form below, and please include a telephone number if you don't mind us contacting you:
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