London - British veterinary officials have again confirmed an infection of foot-and-mouth disease in a herd of cattle on a farm in what is the sixth case in Surrey in southern England since August 3. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made the announcement late Friday.
Due to suspicions of the latest case of foot-and-mouth disease, a herd of about 40 cattle was already being slaughtered. Cattle on the farm had already exhibited symptoms of the infection.
The farm is within the current 3-kilometre protection zone set up in response to the three previous cases in the same area near Egham within the last two weeks.
All six of the foot-and-mouth disease cases since last month have been found to be the same strain and are blamed on an escape of the virus due to leaking pipes at the nearby Pirbright laboratory.
The outbreak has lead to the destruction of nearly 2,000 head of livestock.
