The British are investigating suspected foot-and-mouth disease on pig farms

The British Rural Department in Defra is investigating a possible case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a pig farm in Norfolk County. The ministry explained that the first indications are that it does not mean foot-and-mouth disease. However, the ministry is conducting further tests to completely rule out contamination.

Late Thursday evening, British authorities established a 10-kilometre protection zone around the pig farm in the town of Brandon where suspicious phenomena were discovered. “We are currently investigating a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease in England. As a precaution, a transport ban and a temporary protection zone have been announced. “Initial tests do not indicate the presence of the disease, but work is underway to rule it out completely,” the ministry said in a statement.

“We’re eagerly awaiting the results, keeping our fingers crossed and praying it’s not FMD,” said Zoe Davis, director of the National Pig Association.