Foot-and-mouth spreads to Cornwall

3 March 2001



Foot-and-mouth spreads to Cornwall

by John Burns

CORNWALL has reported its first confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease as the number of outbreaks climbs to 43 across Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Cornwall outbreak was confirmed in cattle on premises linked with an abattoir in the parish of South Petherwin, near Launceston.

The abattoir was already under restriction because of contact with potentially infected sheep which passed through Ross-on-Wye market, Herefordshire

Other outbreaks were confirmed at Great Warley, Essex; Dinnington, Tyne and Wear; and Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway.
The number of animals slaughtered on infected farms has risen to 38,500. A further 6500 animals on 25 farms listed as dangerous contacts have also been killed.

Although only one site in Cornwall has been confirmed with the disease, stock will be slaughtered at four farms in the county in a bid to contain the outbreak.

All 170 sheep and 100 cattle are being killed and burnt on Saturday (3 March) following a suspected but not confirmed outbreak in sheep at St Enoder parish.

Thirty sheep from a holding next-door to the St Enofer farm to which a sheep stayed are also being slaughtered and incinerated..

In Luxulyan parish, 450 sheep and 120 cattle slaughtered on Friday (2 March) are also due to be destroyed, as are30 sheep and 120 cattle in St Columb parish.