Suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease on pig farm west Norfolk

An exclusion zone has been set up following a suspected case of foot and mouth disease on a pig farm in Norfolk.

The news was announced by Defra on gov.uk.

A statement reads: "Following suspicion of vesicular disease in pigs, and as a precaution to prevent the spread of disease, a 10km Temporary Control Zone has been declared around a premises near Feltwell, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk.

"The premises remains under restriction pending the outcome of official tests."

It means that no one is able to move any susceptible animal into or out of the temporary control zone, except where the movement is: (a) through the zone without stopping; or (b) necessary to complete a journey started before the creation of the zone.

Equally no one can move any susceptible animal from or to premises in a temporary control zone (without leaving that zone) except to complete a journey started before the creation of that zone or under the authority of a licence granted by an inspector.

An inspector may detain any stray or feral susceptible animal found in a temporary control zone.

You can check if you are in a disease control zone on the interactive map at gov.uk/guidance/foot-and-mouth-disease

Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

How to spot foot and mouth disease

In pigs

Pigs rarely develop mouth blisters as a result of foot and mouth disease: lameness is the main sign of the disease.

Signs of foot and mouth disease in pigs include: -

sudden lameness, which may spread quickly among the herd

-loudly squealing from pain -tendency to lie down and unwillingness to move

-reluctance to feed Pigs don’t usually develop blisters as a result of foot and mouth disease.

But sometimes blisters do appear on the:

-upper edge of the hoof where the skin and horn meet

-snout

-tongue

The clinical signs are indistinguishable from swine vesicular disease. Therefore if you suspect swine vesicular disease you must report your suspicions and treat the condition as suspected foot and mouth disease until laboratory tests prove otherwise.

In cattle

Cattle with foot and mouth disease may develop sores and blisters:

-on the feet

-in the mouth

-on the tongue

Other clinical signs include:

-fever -shivering

-lameness

-slobbering and smacking lips

-cows produce less milk

In sheep

Sheep rarely develop mouth blisters as a result of foot and mouth disease: lameness is the main sign of the disease.

Signs of foot and mouth disease among sheep include:

-severe lameness, which may develop suddenly and spread quickly among the flock

-tendency to lie down more than usual

-unwillingness to move when made to stand

-high numbers of stillbirths, abortions and lambs dying soon after birth

-tiredness in young lambs

-ewes unwilling to allow lambs to suckle

Sheep rarely develop blisters in the mouth as a result of foot and mouth disease. Blisters on the hoof are more common. In either location the blisters tend to be very small and hard to spot.

Other animals 

Other cloven-hoofed animals including goats and deer can also be infected and introduce the disease to farm animals.