Foot and Mouth Disease: Diagnosis

HL Deb 30 April 2001 vol 625 cc64-5WA

Lord Inglewood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, during the early stages of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease, they relied primarily on laboratory rather then clinical diagnosis; if so, why this approach was adopted; and how much delay it caused before infected animals were slaughtered. [HL1390]

Baroness Hayman

It is standard practice in a disease-free country to confirm foot and mouth disease using laboratory tests and this is required by Council Directive 85/511/EEC. However, during an outbreak, foot and mouth disease may be diagnosed clinically when there is a clear link to other infected animals.

The animals in the first outbreak reported were put under movement restrictions immediately on suspicion of infection, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) at Pirbright the following day. The IAH carry out an ELISA test; which takes about five to six hours to complete.

As the outbreak has progressed, we moved quickly to a position whereby a greater proportion of cases were diagnosed on clinical signs. Our policy is now to slaughter immediately on clinical diagnosis or suspicion of disease.