Animal Health and Safe Food Production Published July 2007

› Table of content › About the report › Order UK FMD outbreak: Latest updates › FMD outbreak blamed on drains, but source remains unknown › Cause of FMD outbreak unclear › UK FMD reports expected this week › Further relaxation of restrictions › UK Foot and Mouth update › Podcast: Farm to fork › Vaccination or slaughter? › FMD link to Pirbright › The HSE report › Anger over 'own goal' infection › Photo Gallery: Media scrutiny › Outbreak linked to Merial lab › Merial Statements › IAH Statements › The disease explained › Animal disease trends › Cattle: Herd size and production › Blog: Foot in mouth....

Official investigations into last month's outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Surrey, UK, have found that the most likely cause was a poorly maintained drainage system at a site in Pirbright. This is occupied by the government's Institute for Animal Health (IAH), pharmaceutical research and licensing firm Stabilitech, and Merial Animal Health. However, the investigations were unable to determine which of the organizations was responsible for releasing the virus.

A report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and an independent review by Professor Brian Spratt of Imperial College London said the virus had most probably leaked from damaged pipes, and was then carried to nearby farms by construction vehicles. 

HSE chief executive Geoffrey Podger said there was evidence of long-term damage to the drainage system, including cracked pipes, tree roots breaching pipework and unsealed manholes. Heavy rainfall in July may also have made it possible for the virus to escape from the drain....

› Login for the full story 
› Not a subscriber? Subscribe

Register for free FMD daily updates Get a four-week trial subscription

Receive FREE daily updates on foot and mouth disease +44 (0)20 7017 5540 › Register › Email us for details