British officials say a new case of Foot and Mouth Disease has been confirmed in cattle on a farm in southern England.
A 3km Temporary Control Zone has been put around a premises near Petersfield, Hampshire. This is a precautionary measure following an veterinary assessment of clinical signs. Laboratory test are ongoing.
It remains essential for animal keepers to practice the highest standards of biosecurity, remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions immediately. Cattle owners should examine their livestock twice a day.
Positive test results for Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) have now been confirmed at the site where it was decided that cattle should be slaughtered on suspicion earlier. The affected animals are within the existing Protection Zone and this now becomes the sixth Infected Premises since 3rd_August this year. Minor changes have now been made to the Protection Zone (PZ) and Surveillance Zone (SZ) in the area.
The decision has been taken to slaughter cattle on suspicion of Foot and Mouth Disease on a farm in Surrey. This follows a veterinary inspection of the affected cattle on a parcel of land in the existing Protection Zone.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that as a precaution, authorities have already begun slaughtering about 40 cows on the farm, which is inside a 3.2-kilometre protection zone set up close to the latest reported cases in Surrey, south of London.