Foot and Mouth breaks out, again… - Bike Magic

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Foot and Mouth breaks out, again…

Just days after the official all-clear was announced for the Foot and Mouth outbreak that rocked the country a little over a month ago, it’s been confirmed that another outbreak has been discovered on a farm in Surrey.

“Initial laboratory tests on the samples taken this morning from the cattle on the holding in Surrey where disease was suspected have indicated the presence of Foot and Mouth Disease,” agriculture ministry Defra reports.

A 6.2 mile exclusion zone has been set up around Milton Park Fark near Egham, the site of the latest breakout of the disease. The news follows just days after the announcement of the all clear being declared for the previous outbreak just 30 miles away.

Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer for Defra said: “The containment and eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease is our top priority. This is why we have moved swiftly to put in place a temporary control zone while we investigate this development.”

The previous outbreak was dealt with quickly in a matter of weeks, showing the government has learnt valuable lessons since the 2001 outbreak, which lasted seven months and led to rights-of-way closures that had a crippling effect on rural businesses beyond farming.

The Government has responded quickly once again, culling a reported 20 animals and imposing a ban on the movement of animals. “A movement ban of cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants has now been imposed in England and parallel arrangements are being made by the Scottish and Welsh administrations,” Defra reports.

A report into the outbreak last month said the outbreak was most likely to have been caused by poorly maintained drains, compounded by the excessively heavy rainfall during August, and movement of construction vehicles from the site.

But with this outbreak likely caused by the same source, questions need to be asked of the biosecurity provisions in place at the Pirbright research facility. Of course it’s too early to speculate until we hear more, but we’ll endeavour to keep you updated.

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