No mystery over Somerset outbreak

2 May 2001



‘No mystery’ over Somerset outbreak

By FWi staff

OFFICIALS have sought to allay farmers concerns after a new case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed in Somerset after a gap of almost two months.

An outbreak was confirmed at Wiveliscombe on Wednesday (02 May), while the countys only other case was recorded at Bidisham, near Axbridge, on 9 March.

But the Ministry of Agriculture has dismissed concerns that the disease could have been incubating undetected in stock in the interim.

A spokeswoman said the farmer involved had been visiting other farms. “We know where it came from,” she insisted. “Its unfortunate, but theres no mystery.”

This development comes as 20 farms in Essex are being tested for foot-and-mouth more than a fortnight after the countys last confirmed case

Sheep and pigs were culled four days ago at Great Wigborough, near Colchester after tests revealed disease antibodies.

Four new cases of foot-and-mouth have been confirmed on Wednesday taking the total number of UK outbreaks to 1533.