Foot and mouth outbreak spreads to Surrey sheep farm

Initial blood tests on sheep at a Surrey farm showed traces of the disease. A spokeswoman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that all animals on the farm would be slaughtered and further tests were ongoing.

The farm is within the six-mile protection zone set up after last week's outbreak which infected cattle at two farms in Egham.

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If confirmed, it will be the first certain case of foot and mouth in sheep, leading to fears that many more could be carrying the virus.

Evidence has suggested that foot and mouth can "hide" undetected in sheep for up to several days before being picked up in tests.

The news comes just as the latest outbreak across Surrey appeared to be under control.

A DEFRA spokesman said: "Initial blood tests on clinically healthy sheep on a farm within the protection zone suggest exposure to foot and mouth disease.

"These animals were identified as part of the surveillance work that is being carried out in the area. All animals on the premises are being slaughtered on suspicion. Further laboratory tests are ongoing."

So far more than 940 animals have been killed in Surrey. In August, nearly 600 cows, sheep and pigs were culled in fields around Normandy, near Guildford, following the first outbreak which was blamed on the virus escaping from the animal research facility at Pirbright.

It is believed that the disease spread from a leaking drain outside the plant and was moved further afield on the tyres of lorries coming in and out of the site.

Before last night, no further instances of the disease had been reported since last week.

Only yesterday, farmers outside the surveillance area were given the green light to begin taking their animals for slaughter again after transport restrictions were relaxed by the Government.

Peter Ainsworth, the Conservative environment spokesman, said the Government must take the blame for failing to halt the spread of the disease.

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"This is disturbing news," he said. "All of us, especially in the farming community, have been hoping that the outbreak is now over.

"It was caused by negligence by the Government and its agencies. We have to hope that the Government will now be competent in dealing with the clean up."

Sarah Whitelock, head of communications at the National Farmers' Union, added: "This case demonstrates the reason why the blood testing is a necessary tool as it picks up undisclosed cases of the disease.

"However, it is disappointing to learn of another case. It is vital that all livestock farmers are vigilant in their biosecurity measures at this difficult time."

Professor Hugh Pennington, professor of microbiology at the University of Aberdeen, said the new potential outbreak would put back efforts to eradicate the disease.

He added that it is "very difficult" to detect the disease in sheep which often do not show symptoms until days after they are infected.

"It's more likely to be something going back a while," he said. "Each time a new farm is affected then it spreads to neighbouring premises if this is the same we will have to see."

Farmer Derrick Pride, from Elstead, Surrey, whose herd was slaughtered in August, said he sympathised with the sheep farmer's predicament.

"It's utterly devastating," he said. "I pity the poor man - whoever it is - because we've been through it. Your whole world seems to crash overnight. It's a very emotional experience for all the family."