Investigators into the recent foot and mouth outbreak have blamed bio-security breaches at a government-run laboratory which triggered a major scare in August, the BBC is reporting. Investigators have not identified exactly what happened, but they do outline a possible series of events which led to the outbreak. Citing details from two official reports to be released later in the day, the scenario suggests that the potentially devastating disease was leaked via a damaged pipe and carried by water during flooding to a nearby farm.
Related stories: More animals culled in foot and mouth outbreak
The Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright, came under scrutiny along with an adjoining privately-run laboratory after a series of outbreaks on nearby farms. Movements of livestock were banned nationwide, the infected cattle were culled and the European Union imposed an export ban. The outbreaks were eventually contained and investigations launched into the two laboratories.
According to the BBC, two reports notably focus on leaks in a pipe linking the government-run lab with Merial Animal Health, the private vaccine-producing company which shares the Pirbright site. Under the scenario, the virus was present in the pipe, which had cracks caused by tree roots, and was flushed out during flooding on the site on July 20. Vehicles then drove through the flooded area and picked up the virus, before driving out of the Pirbright site
[Via BBC News]
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes