Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in the UK

FEI – A second outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was confirmed yesterday by the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in Surrey. A three-mile exclusion zone has been set up around Egham in Surrey, just 30 miles from the outbreak in August.

A national movement ban – affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and other ruminants has now been imposed in England. Similar arrangements are being made in Scotland and Wales. No movements of susceptible animals are allowed except under licence. The licence conditions may vary between England, Scotland and Wales.

DEFRA is expected to release more details on the suspected FMD case, and its implications later today, however, it has been indicated that initial sequencing of the virus shows it to be type 01 BFS. This is the same strain as found in the August outbreak, although this will only be confirmed when the sequencing of the full virus strain is completed.

This latest discovery of FMD will have repercussions on the movement of horses. We therefore ask all participants and competitors in Great Britain to remain vigilant to the bans currently imposed.

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