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.