Eighth case of foot-and-mouth discovered

Another case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Northumberland, bringing the total in the region to eight.

Another case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in Northumberland, UK, bringing the total in the region to eight.

Agriculture officials say that two more cases are suspected. The previous seven cases were in a 400-square-mile region near Hexham which had been virus-free for months.

The location of the latest case has not been confirmed.

At a briefing at the Newcastle Disease Emergency Control Centre, Divisional Veterinary Manager Arthur Griffiths said the seventh outbreak had occurred at Low Mill, in Allendale.

Two more "highly suspicious" cases in the Allendale valley are also being investigated. So far, 1,000 cattle and 5,500 sheep had either been slaughtered or were being slaughtered because of the outbreaks.

That figure does not include the eighth outbreak or the two being investigated.

Mr Griffiths also ruled out suggestions that the disease could have been spread through Hexham Market and stressed that no animals had been taken to the mart and returned to farms.

He said: "We are still looking for the source but are not looking at Hexham Market. It is very much like a CID operation where you get information coming in and you investigate it.

"It really is a detective story. It is extremely disappointing that we have another confirmed case and I cannot rule out the possibility of more to come.

"But it is not surprising that once the disease entered the area, several cases have occurred. We are continuing to work hard to contain the further spread of the disease by enforcing strict biosecurity measures and culling all animals within the target periods of 24 hours on infected premises and 48 hours on contiguous premises."