UK FMD Control Zone Lifted, Vigilance Still Needed

Temporary control zone lifted - but relentless vigilance still needed

The Temporary Control Zone around a farm in Surrey has been lifted following negative results for Foot and Mouth Disease.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds, said:

"This is day eight of the foot and mouth outbreak. I must stress the need for relentless vigilance. It is crucial that all animal keepers continue to check their animals regularly and practice the highest possible levels of biosecurity.

"There is a substantial operation on the ground to prevent the spread of this disease and we are seeing a tremendous response. I would like to thank all of those involved."

The national movement ban remains in place. Licences have been granted for the following specific animal movements, which are permitted outside of the Protection and Surveillance Zones under strict licensing conditions:

* Where it is necessary for dairy cows to cross a public road to be milked, this is permitted only under strict condition that the road is fully cleaned afterwards.

* Movements of animals for emergency veterinary treatment are also allowed under general licence.

* Movement of susceptible animals direct to slaughter.

* The collection of dead animals from farms, and roadkill.

* The movement of carcases, animal products, manure, slurry and used litter from a slaughter house. This excludes carcases and animal products intended for human consumption.

In the specific area of the Protection and Surveillance Zones, to prevent acute welfare problems, there is a general license permitting the movement of feed and fodder within a farm, and the direct delivery to a farm of feed and fodder from outside the zones. In addition, burial of animals on the farm where they died will be permitted within the Protection and Surveillance Zones.

Information on the latest situation on the Food and Mouth Disease outbreak can be found on
the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth

Notes

1. Biosecurity advice:

* Biosecurity literally means 'safe life'. If you work or come into contact with farm animals, biosecurity means taking steps to make sure that good hygiene practices are in place. This will help prevent the spread of animal disease. Disease may not always be apparent, especially in the early stages.

* Be clean, particularly if handling animals or moving between different premises - if direct contact with farm animals cannot be prevented then it's best practice to cleanse and disinfect protective clothing, footwear, equipment, vehicles etc. before and after contact.

* A good biosecurity routine is always essential - not just when there is a major disease outbreak. You should ensure that work methods are designed to minimise where possible movements of people, vehicles or equipment into areas where farm animals are kept.

* During an outbreak: Only essential visitors should visit any premises with farm animals within areas where restrictions are involved.

2. Advice from the Health Protection Agency is that foot and mouth disease is not a public health threat.

3. FMD is a disease of cattle and very few human cases have ever been recorded even though the disease is endemic in animals in many parts of the world including Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. FMD only crosses the species barrier from cattle to human with very great difficulty. The last human case reported in Britain occurred in 1966. The disease in humans, in the very rare cases that have occurred, is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatment.

4. The Defra public helpline is currently operating from 6am-10pm. The public should call: 08459 335577.

ENDS

More: Latest World News | Top World News | World Digest | Archives

© Scoop Media