Foot and mouth went unnoticed for 10 days
UK - As more animals are culled amid fears of foot and mouth spreading, government vets have launched an investigation into how the virus could have gone unnoticed for more than a week at a farm at the centre of the latest outbreak.
16 September 2007
1 minute read
Animals on Stroude Farm, Virginia Water, near Egham, Surrey, were found to have lesions that were 10 days old, which means they had begun to heal and had probably harboured the disease for up to three weeks.
However, this was discovered only when animal health officers visited the farm after an outbreak in a neighbouring field.
Experts fear that animals and vehicles moving on or off the farm could easily have spread the virus to other areas. Investigators were last night trying to trace all locations that could be at risk.
Pigs from a neighbouring farm have been culled as a precautionary measure. Tests were being carried out on the 24 pigs, but initial examinations had proved inconclusive.
advertisementDebby Reynolds, the Chief Veterinary Officer, has announced that national restrictions on the movement of animals would be eased to allow farmers to take their stock to slaughter under strict rules. All other movements will remain banned.
Source: Sunday Telegraph
