New foot and mouth scare in Surrey

The threat of foot and mouth disease in the UK returned today after a suspected outbreak in the Egham area of Surrey.

A temporary control zone was set up around a farm, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.

The development comes just days after it was believed that the outbreak centred on Pirbright, around ten miles away, which caused widespread disruption and concern during August, had been successfully dealt with.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was informed of the new suspected outbreak during a visit to Leicester.

Downing Street said he had no plans to cut his visit short after he arrived at the city’s Walkers Stadium to attend a citizens’ jury meeting on crime.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has no plans to cut the visit short.

“This is not yet a confirmed outbreak but a suspected outbreak and they are slaughtering animals as a precautionary measure.”

Mr Brown is due to return to London early this afternoon.

Experts had declared foot and mouth disease was eradicated and the last remaining restrictions on livestock were lifted on Saturday.

Angry farmers affected by the outbreak had called for the nearby Pirbright laboratory site, which has been blamed for the leak, to remain closed until the source is found.

But chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said last week: “I’m satisfied that foot and mouth has been eradicated from the UK in 2007.”

Official reports blamed faulty drainage systems at Pirbright for leaking the disease, coupled with heavy rain, building work and construction vehicles moving from the site.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which published its official report into the outbreak, said it was “pretty clear” that the virus escaped from Pirbright but said it was not possible to pinpoint whether the exact source was the Institute for Animal Health or Merial, which share the site.