Excerpt from Pratt Report:
Epidemiological investigation and report
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The epidemiological investigation is undertaken to determine when infection was introduced and all possible sources of infection. This involves investigating possible movements of susceptible animals and their products, people, vehicles, equipment, feedstuffs, bedding material, etc. In this case there has been specific involvement of experts to assist with investigating a link to the activities being undertaken at the Pirbright site.
The final epidemiological report concludes that release was most likely due to escape of live virus from the drainage system that connects the vaccine production plant to the sodium hydroxide treatment tanks on another part of the Pirbright site. Movement of the virus off site was most likely from movement of fomites (substance capable of carrying infectious organisms) created from soil, water, or other material contaminated by effluent, and deposited on the road from which the track to the 1st infected premises leads.
Interim epidemiological reports are available as follows:
- - Summary epidemiology report, 9 Aug 2007 <http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/fmd-epireport090807.pdf>
- - Summary epidemiology report, 13 Aug 2007 <http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/epi-report-third130807.pdf
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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[This appears to bring to a close quite an unusual event, which was investigated in a rapid and thorough fashion. A key step in the outbreak investigation is the publication of findings, so that we don't have to repeat these mistakes at another time in another place. Outbreaks are an opportunity for learning, so enjoy the reading wherever you might be investigating outbreaks in the future. - Mod.PC]
[see also:
Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (19) 20070906.2940 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (18) 20070823.2770 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (17) 20070819.2706 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (16) 20070815.2663 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (15) 20070814.2651 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (10) 20070810.2598 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (05), OIE 20070806.2559 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (04) 20070805.2543 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (03): 01 BFS67-1 20070804.2538 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK (England) (02) 20070804.2532 Foot & mouth disease, bovine - UK: confirmed 20070803.2523 Undiagnosed vesicular disease, bovine - UK (England) 20070803.2509] ........................................pc/mj/jw