Foot and mouth was four weeks old says report
Animals at a farm in Egham had foot and mouth for four weeks before it was reported according to a Government study.
25 September 2007
1 minute read
Experts from Defra revealed yesterday that Klondyke Farm, where the disease was confirmed on September 17, had been infected in mid-August.
Scientists who examined animals on the farm found they had lesions that were up to a month old.
It is believed the farm was infected soon after the original outbreak 10 miles away at Pirbright, and the virus had ample time to move to animals on at least three other farms around Egham.
The report states: "These additional cases would have been prevented by the early detection and notification of the infection at Klondyke, but the clinical disease was not detected or reported."
It is claimed the farm's owner had been on holiday in early September.
The report also suggests the virus probably came from "mechanical transmission" - by people or vehicles.
Last night cattle was culled at nearby Englefield Green and animals were found to have tested positive for foot and mouth.
Source: WimbledonGuardian
