FMD: another report on lab
Environment minister Hilary Benn has asked for another report to investigate transmission by people
Mr Benn said: "Following the confirmation on 4th August that the strain of virus found in the first case was not recently circulating in animals, but was held at both the Institute for Animal Health and Merial Animal Health Ltd - both on the Pirbright site - I asked the HSE to investigate. I have now received their 'Initial Report of potential breaches to bio-security at the Pirbright Site 2007'.
The report indicates that there was a negligible combined likelihood of an airborne release of virus from either site. The likelihood of a direct waterborne link between the infected farm and the shared site is also negligible. But further investigation is being carried out into the drainage on the Pirbright site. Release by human movement - which the report describes as a real possibility - will now be investigated further as a matter of urgency. This will involve further interviews with personnel at the site, I have asked for a further report on these investigations as soon as possible.
I note that there is no reason to prevent IAH from operating and I await the results of the further investigations at Merial."
