Foot-and-mouth scare in West Midlands
Foot and mouth scare identified in Solihull, West Midlands
Wednesday, 19, Sep 2007 05:08
A temporary control zone has been installed at a location in Solihull on the suspicion it may be infected with foot and mouth disease, the government has revealed.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says veterinary staff have acted in the West Midlands as a "precautionary measure" and insists that the disease has not been confirmed.
"An assessment of clinical symptoms by animal health veterinary staff has been carried out, and laboratory test results are awaited," a statement explained.
"The containment and eradication of foot and mouth disease is our top priority."
Today's development comes after foot and mouth was confirmed at three premises in Surrey in September.
Earlier, chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds called on animal keepers to remain vigilant in checking livestock for signs of the disease.
"This is a disease which can be easily spotted in its early stages," she said. "Immediate reporting of any suspicions is critical to the control of this disease.
"Welfare codes already require that animals are inspected at least once a day. I am now urging that these checks are carried out twice a day given the current circumstances."
Foot and mouth disease first hit the headlines this year with the August 3rd outbreak thought to have originated from the Pirbright laboratory site in Surrey, jointly held by the government's Institute of Animal Health and pharmaceutical company Merial.
Just five days after Dr Reynolds said the disease had been "eradicated from the UK in 2007" a fresh outbreak in Surrey emerged, which was confirmed as being the same strain of foot and mouth as in the Pirbright case.