Foot-and-mouth tests at new site

Animals at three farms in Surrey have tested positive for the disease

Tests are being carried out on livestock at a premises in the West Midlands to find out if foot-and-mouth disease is present.

A temporary control zone has been put around the site in Solihull, believed to be Woodhouse Farm, as a precaution.

Government vets have carried out an assessment of the symptoms in livestock at the site and are awaiting the results of tests.

Control zones are still in place around three Surrey farms which had the virus.

September's outbreak was discovered after livestock at two farms nearby were found to have the disease in August.

A statement from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the disease had not been confirmed at the site in Solihull, which is just south of Birmingham International Airport.

Same disease strain

It added: "The containment and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease is our top priority.

"It remains essential for animal keepers to practice the highest standards of biosecurity, remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions immediately."

David Catlow, president of the British Veterinary Association, said results of the tests should be available soon.

The new investigation site is south of Birmingham airport

He said: "It would be a serious development if it is confirmed but at the moment it's a report case and we have had more than 100 report cases from the start, with five confirmed infected premises.

"So actually, sounds rather bizarre, we want report cases. We want to know that farmers are being vigilant, looking out for disease and reporting any clinical signs, and then we can rule out any disease if necessary."

Earlier Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds urged farmers to increase their vigilance.

She said farmers should now check their cattle twice a day rather than once a day, which was the usual recommendation.

No vaccines

"It's a requirement for animal welfare purposes to look at them once a day," she said.

"But because of the emerging situation I do ask cattle farmers in England to look at their animals twice a day, so that we can be absolutely sure to detect and get reported any concerns about any animals as quickly as possible."

Zones are imposed around places where outbreaks have been confirmed and related sites Enlarge Map

Mrs Reynolds also said vaccines would not be provided for any animals, but added the decision would be reviewed.

"Vaccination can be used as a disease control measure if it is demonstrated that steps in addition to the slaughter policy are required to eradicate the disease," she said.

"It has been decided not to vaccinate at this time because the risk of spread of disease outside of the Surrey area is still considered to be low at the present time."

Culls

Three earlier confirmed cases were just a few miles away from the Pirbright research complex in Surrey - blamed as the source for the foot-and-mouth outbreaks at two other farms last month.

The new cases also involve the same strain of the disease found in the outbreaks last month.

Foot-and-mouth was confirmed at Hardwick Park Farm, Egham, a week ago, with animals then testing positive at nearby Stroude Farm shortly after.

On Tuesday it emerged animals at The Klondyke farm had contracted the disease and had been culled.

A 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone has been set up around the Surrey farmland, with a 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone encircling it.