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.