‘Probable’ New Foot & Mouth in UK
A “probable” new leak of the foot-and-mouth virus has been reported from an animal health facility in Surrey, the government has said.
In a written statement, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the “internal” leak happened at the Merial laboratory at Pirbright.
Mr Benn added that an inspection team concluded that the virus was not released into the environment.
The virus is understood to have escaped through a leaking valve last week.
In his statement, Mr Benn said it was “possible that live FMD virus had entered the contained drainage system”.
He added that from evidence gathered by inspectors, “they are assured that live virus has not been released to the environment.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that there will be no new livestock movement restrictions as a result of the latest suspected leak.
Source: BBC.
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