Precautionary Foot-and-Mouth Disease Measures Taken In Co Antrim
NORTHERN IRELAND - DARD has announced that it is investigating a possible pig disease at an abattoir in Co Antrim.
8 January 2007
1 minute read
Speaking today, the Chief Veterinary Officer, Bert Houston said: "This morning as part of routine surveillance at an abattoir in Co Antrim, foot lesions were detected in a number of pigs presented for slaughter.
As a precautionary measure, samples have been taken and are being sent to the Institute for Animal Health in England for testing for Foot and Mouth Disease and Swine Vesicular Disease. Preliminary results are expected late tomorrow.
"In accordance with EU requirements when samples are taken in these cases, we have imposed some limited movement restrictions and other conditions in relation to the abattoir in question and the premises of origin. These will be reviewed when test results become available."
The symptoms of Swine Vesicular Disease in pigs are difficult to distinguish from those of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
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