In line with normal procedures, the infected premises and the Pirbright site are covered by 3km protection zones, with a single 10km radius surveillance zone beyond it.
A national ban came into force across Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) on August 3 to prevent the movement of susceptible animals. In both the protection and surveillance zones, there will be requirements for increased levels of biosecurity on farms, cleansing and disinfection of vehicles, people and machinery moving on/off farms.
Cattle on the infected farm were culled the following day. This included the 38 cattle from the infected premises, and cattle on two additional sites from the same farming enterprise. The cattle on the additional sites, both within the surveillance zone, showed no clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease but were culled in line with normal procedure and tested. Results have revealed that, of the additional animals slaughtered, one of them tested positive for Foot and Mouth Disease. As a precaution, susceptible animals on one farm located next door to the field have also been culled. The carcasses have been disposed of by incineration.
Immediate action was taken to identify the source of the infection and an investigation led by the Health and Safety Executive at the Institute for Animal Health and Merial is currently taking place.
As of August 6, the operation continued to focus on containment and eradication of the disease.
Source: Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
