It seems the experts are proposing the idea that the floods of 20th July spread the FMD virus from the Pirbright facility. As far as we know, no flood water actually passed through the buildings (what would have happened if it had?), which means that it must have been contaminated drain water entering the flood waters. Contamination of drain water would require a human breach of procedure, since no infective material should be disposed of via the sink or lavatory. One would assume that a large quantity of infective material might be needed, to retain an effective infective capability after such dilution.

I trust that the investigation will continue, in the hope of finding the who/what/when/how but it may be something that can never be ascertained at this stage. At least, if the theory is correct, the perpetrator will know he or she broke procedures.

Why do we have all these dangerous viruses about, like tigers in a zoo but more dangerous? Take a look at the earlier blog "Pandora's Box", for a list of viruses at IAH Pirbright. We shall probably never be told what they keep at the Merial facility on the same site.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.

In the light of the recent bio-security questions about the Foot and Mouth outbreak, at Pirbright, it may not be a comfort to readers to know that, apart from FMD virus, the IAH facility researches several animal diseases, 'exotic' to the UK:

Lumpy Skin Disease and Rinderpest for cattle

African Horse Sickness and Equine Encephalosis for horses

African Swine Fever and Swine Vesicular Disease for pigs

Blue Tongue, Peste des petits Ruminants and Sheep Pox for sheep

and

Goat Pox for goats.

Let's hope they can keep the lid on that bunch of goodies ........

Bio-security risk?

Meanwhile, it does not encourage me to learn that the carcases of the slaughtered cattle are being shipped from Surrey to Frome in Somerset, for incineration. Please give those trucks a wide berth, as they travel their way.

Another night has passed, without further confirmations of Foot and Mouth Disease. Although it is still early days in the outbreak, it looks more and more as if the initial infection took place in only one location, albeit possibly at more than one individual site. It is not 100% clear from reports whether all affected sites are under one ownership or whether there has been further (local) spread. Nonetheless, this compact area would make subsequent spread easier to track and contain.

In 2001, by way of contrast, the disease had spread to many scattered centres (multi-centric), before action was initiated.

There is no room for smugness about bio-security, at the two laboratory sites at Pirbright. For some reason, the directors of both have made it known that they believe no breach of procedues has occurred. At such times, it is best to keep mum, until the facts are known.

At least it's reassuring to know that Dr Reynolds has slapped a Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone around her old employers, at Pirbright, in case.