ARCHIVE: Foot and Mouth Disease:

outbreak management
This page describes our approach in the event o an outbreak! It shou"d be read in para""e"
#ith the Contingenc$ %"an!
Human &e"are
1. For guidance on health and safety and staff welfare refer to the Defra Overview of
Emergency Preparedness.
'iosecurit$ (uidance
2. nyone coming into contact with livestoc! or their waste runs the ris! of spreading animal
diseases. "iosecurity is the prevention of disease causing agents entering or leaving a livestoc!
premises. #t involves a num$er of measures and protocols designed to prevent potential disease
causing agents $eing spread from one premises to another.
%. "iosecurity guidance &PDF 2'( )"* to prevent the spread of animal diseases has $een
developed &in accordance with legislation 1*. Further advice for anyone who comes into contact
with animals+ can $e found in $iosecurity on the Defra we$site and in the ,Overview of
Emergency Preparedness, &see the -ontingency Plan*.
Anima" &e"are
.. Farmers and others involved with the !eeping of livestoc! have a duty of care to their animals.
/hey should anticipate pro$lems &including those associated with disease control measures* and
ma!e appropriate plans to mitigate the effects. /his should form a routine part of their $usiness
planning processes. #n the normal course of $usiness+ a farmer would e0pect to assume
responsi$ility where it $ecomes necessary to cull stoc! for welfare reasons. /he introduction of
disease control measures does not alter this o$ligation and normal $usiness planning should
cover action necessary to protect the welfare of animals in the event of an emergency.
1. Farmers should therefore assume that there will $e an initial period during any disease
out$rea! where all animal &of the type affected $y the out$rea!* movement is prohi$ited2 /his
may give rise to the ris! of welfare pro$lems and farmers should have their own contingency
plan for avoiding such pro$lems through management or hus$andry practices. /hese might
include $uilding temporary housing or ta!ing additional fodder to the stoc!2
'. #n an actual out$rea!+ Defra+ the 34P- and other organisations may $e a$le to provide
advice and practical assistance+ for e0ample+ $y facilitating access to fodder and $edding2
Farmers may also+ wherever practica$le+ $e given the opportunity to move their animals under a
general or specific licence. 4uch movements may include movement to slaughter for the food
chain or to more suita$le land or $uildings. 5owever+ the issuing of licences will $e dependent
on the disease situation and cannot therefore $e assumed or guaranteed.
(. #f all other options are e0hausted and welfare pro$lems are still a ris!+ farmers should $e
prepared to underta!e welfare !illing on farm. /his should only $e carried out $y appropriately
trained and 6ualified personnel and where necessary advice should $e sought from the farmers
own veterinary adviser. Depending on the circumstances of the case and the particular out$rea!+
Defra will provide guidance on the most appropriate route for disposal of such carcasses and
issue licences where appropriate.
7. Defra will only consider introducing a 8ivestoc! 9elfare Disposal 4cheme to facilitate !illing
and disposal of animals as an a$solute last resort when all other options have $een e0hausted+
and only if necessary to prevent an unaccepta$le deterioration in welfare standards. #f
introduced+ a disposal scheme would only apply to animals that cannot $e moved under licence
to a slaughterhouse+ a$attoir or purpose $uilt !illing plant. :o payment will $e made to farmers
for animals slaughtered ; !illed under such a scheme. /his is in line with the policy set out in the
<overnments response to the Foot and =outh Disease #n6uiries &:ovem$er 2>>2*. /his states
that ?experience has shown that payments to farmers under such schemes can provide a
disincentive for them to take responsibility for looking after their animals, and may also create a
false market2.
Conservation o Farm Anima" (enetic Resources
@. Ander the nimal 5ealth ct 1@71 &as amended $y the nimal 5ealth ct 1@71 &mendment*
3egulations 2>>' special measures can $e applied for the conservation of ?farm animal genetic
resourcesB &rare $reeds* on premises that are identified in advance+ in the event of an Foot and
=outh Disease out$rea!. /here are agreed definitions for such groups of animals and a
registration process has $een developed+ which is pu$licised on the Defra we$site. Providing the
highest levels of $iosecurity are implemented to prevent the spread of disease+ premises holding
the registered $reeding nucleus may 6ualify for derogations from !illing all suscepti$le animals
if the premise $ecomes infected+ and consideration will $e given to the use of emergency
vaccination if the premises falls within a vaccination Cone+ $ut did not meet the criteria for
vaccination. /he derogation from slaughter would only $e applied for the rare $reed animals and
not for any ?commerciallyB !ept animals on the same premises. /he use of any of the measures
would only $e availa$le in e0ceptional cases and the message a$out the registration of animals is
$eing carefully managed to ensure that producers have realistic e0pectations a$out the possi$ility
of rare $reed animals $eing spared from slaughter.
Conservation o species and arm anima" genetic resources
1>. European and domestic legislation provides for sparing certain categories of animals+
including animals !ept for purposes related to the conservation of species or farm animal genetic
resources &$reeds at ris!*+ from culling during an Foot and =outh Disease out$rea!+ provided
that disease control is not Deopardised. 4uch e0emptions are not guaranteed and will $e
considered on a caseE$yEcase $asis following a veterinary ris! assessment of the premises and
consideration of wider issues and impacts. #f such a derogation is made+ o$ligations will $e
placed on the animal !eeper to put in place specified mitigating measures to reduce the ris! of
spread of the Foot and =outh Disease virus. Furthermore+ the derogation from slaughter would
only $e applied for the $reeds at ris! animals and not for any ?commerciallyB !ept animals on
the same premises.
lso see A) "reeds at 3is! 3egister.
Conservation o )oo Anima"s
Derogation or )oos and &i"d"ie %arks
11. European and domestic legislation provides for sparing certain categories of animals+
including suscepti$le animals !ept in Coos or wildlife par!s and for research+ from culling during
an Foot and =outh Disease out$rea!+ provided that disease control is not Deopardised. nimal
5ealth have developed a data$ase of Coos in England+ populated with information received from
8ocal uthorities+ so that they can $e easily located in the event of an out$rea!.
12. 4pecies of animals suscepti$le to foot and mouth &Foot and =outh Disease* are defined $y
the Foot and =outh Disease &England* Order 2>>' as a cow+ $ull+ sheep+ goat+ deer+ camel+
llama+ alpaca+ guanaco+ vicuna+ any other ruminant+ and any swine &that is+ a mem$er of the
su$order 4uina of the order rtiodactyla*+ elephants and rodents &e0cluding pet rodents*.
*perationa" %rocedures
Initia" Investigation
1%. For details on operational procedures to $e followed at the initial investigation stage refer to
the Defra -ontingency Plans.
Compensation
1.. Ander the nimal 5ealth ct 1@71+ compensation is paid for animals that are compulsorily
culled to prevent the spread of certain diseases. For foot and mouth disease &Foot and =outh
Disease*+ the ct re6uires that compensation is paid at the full mar!et value of the animal $efore
it $ecame infected.
Va"uation
11. list of valuers who are approved to underta!e livestoc! valuation on $ehalf of Defra for
e0otic disease control is maintained $y Defra. Each valuer has a contract setting out how
valuations should $e underta!en and the $asis under which the valuation is made.
1'. 9here livestoc! are re6uired to $e valued the Field Operations /eam in the 8ocal Disease
-ontrol -entre &8D--* will contact a valuer from the list. #f necessary+ more than one valuer
may $e appointed if the nature of the stoc! is $eyond the e0pertise of one valuer and to ensure
valuation and hence culling is underta!en as rapidly as possi$le. Only valuers from the approved
list may $e used. #f appropriate+ clerical assistance to facilitate the rapid valuation will $e
arranged $y the valuer. ll valuations are underta!en under official supervision.
1(. #n the event of an animal disease out$rea!+ the Department may call upon the services of the
panel of appointed =onitor Faluers. #nitially the =onitor Faluers will $ased in the national
Disease -ontrol -entre &:D--* in 8ondon to advise on the need for further instruction and
guidance to issue to valuers &reflecting species affected+ area etc.*2 to ensure uniformity in
valuations2 and fairness to $oth livestoc! owners and ta0payers. Depending on the e0tent of the
out$rea! the =onitor Faluers could $e $ased in 8ondon or in;near 8D--s.
Cu""ing
17. /he policy in the event of an out$rea! of Foot and =outh Disease is governed $y the Foot
and =outh Disease &England* Order 2>>' and is to cull suscepti$le animals on infected premises
and those identified as dangerous contacts. 4ee the Foot and =outh Disease disease factsheet for
further details on Disease -ontrol 4trategy and Disease -ontrol 4laughter Protocol.
Disposa"
1@. /he carcases of animals culled for disease control purposes are transported under escort+ $y
D3 trained drivers in covered lea!Eproof vehicles to an appropriate $iosecure disposal facility.
Disposal would normally $e $y rendering or incineration although other options such as the use
of permitted landfill may also $e considered. Further details are set out in Defras -ontingency
Plans.
C"eansing and Disinection +C,D- o Aected %remises
2>. Preliminary - G D is the responsi$ility of Defra and will $e arranged and underta!en $y
nimal 5ealth officials and paid for $y Defra. Defra policy is that final &also referred to as
secondary cleansing and disinfection* of farm premises is the responsi$ility the premises owner
although this will $e closelely monitored and assessed $y nimal health officials.
Restricted )one
21. restricted Cone is an area where restrictions are imposed around protection and surveillance
Cones and which can e0tend to cover the whole of the country &and would do so at least in the
early stages of an out$rea! although it might su$se6uently $e shrun! to cover only part of the
country to allow regionalisation and freedom from control for areas that are free of disease*.
Immediate 'an on Moving .ivestock / Contro""ed Area
22. ll livestoc! movements from any farm premises are prohibited once disease has $een
confirmed and a Declaration pu$lished. =ovements within farm premises &e.g. from field to
another contiguous field* may continue to ta!e place
2%. /hese restrictions will apply until the e0tent of the disease has $een assessed and the ris! of
further spread is minimised. /he movement of infected livestoc! poses the greatest ris! of a
disease spread.
2.. 8ivestoc! in transit at the time disease is confirmed will $e allowed to continue to its
destination or to return to the premises of departure. 4toc! at mar!ets+ shows+ collecting centres
and assem$ly centres should remain there until arrangements are made with the local veterinary
officers of nimal 5ealth to license them off+ pro$a$ly $ac! to the premises of origin.
21. s the disease situation $ecomes clearer+ certain types of movements will $e permitted under
licence su$Dect to certain $iosecurity conditions. /he first movement is li!ely to $e movements of
livestoc! to slaughterhouses. /he conditions applied will depend upon the type of restrictions the
premises or area is under. #t will $e some time $efore movements of livestoc! to other farms will
$e permitted+ especially if the recipient farm has resident livestoc!. 8i!ewise it will $e some time
$efore movements of livestoc! to livestoc! mar!ets or shows will $e permitted.
2'. #n a few circumstances it may $e necessary to move livestoc! in an emergency situation e.g.
straying stoc!2 livestoc! at ris! of rising water levels2 emergency veterinary treatment etc. /hese
e0ceptional circumstances will $e dealt with locally on a case $y case $asis ta!ing into
consideration the welfare of the livestoc! and the disease ris!.
0urvei""ance
2(. /hose carrying out clinical e0aminations or serological sampling will do so in accordance
with the Foot and =outh Disease &England* Order 2>>' in transposing the re6uirements of
nne0 ### of Directive 2>>%;71;E- &which may $e varied $y decisions of the European
-ommission*.
0ero"og$
27. /he #nstitute for nimal 5ealth &#5* Pir$right and the Feterinary 8a$oratories gency at
9ey$ridge provides the diagnostic testing service for Foot and =outh Disease. #t also carries out
additional tests &i.e. F:/* on positive or inconclusive serology samples su$mitted $y the
Feterinary 8a$oratories gency &F8*.
2@. #5 Pir$right offers an immediate serology capacity of up to 7+>>> samples per wee!. Defra
has an agreement with the F8 that they will provide serological testing capacity for Foot and
=outh Disease on a contingency $asis of 12>+>>> samples per wee! at three la$oratories. /he
first la$oratory would $e ready to start testing within three wee!s of notification with an initial
capacity of (+>>> tests per wee!+ 2>+>>> tests in the second wee! and reaching full capacity of
.>+>>> in the third wee!. /he second la$oratory would $e operational within ' wee!s and a third
la$oratory within 7 wee!s with the same capacity $uild up. Full capacity of 12>+>>> tests per
wee! would $e reached $y the tenth wee!.
%>. #f additional personnel arere6uired to underta!e $lood sampling+ they will $e recruited and
trained $y nimal health.
%1. #n a vaccination Cone surveillance will $e carried out+ after a minimum of %> days have
elapsed since vaccination was completed+ to esta$lish whether any vaccinated herd or floc! has
$ecome infected with virus.
%2. Diagnostic testing will $e carried out in accordance with the re6uirements of nne0 H### of
Directive 2>>%;71;E- &which may $e varied $y Decisions of the European -ommission*.
Transport o 0amp"es
%%. nimal 5ealth will ensure they have access to the most appropriate means of transporting
$lood samples during an animal disease out$rea! as set out in operational instructions and in
accordance with the /ransport of Dangerous <oods ct.
Emergenc$ Vaccination Arrangements
Accommodation
%.. For vaccination+ the contractor will provide up to % porta$le forward vaccination centres
capa$le of $eing relocated to areas of the country where vaccination services are re6uired+ to
ena$le a vaccination programme to commence within 1 days of $eing mo$ilised. Each forward
vaccination centre comprises I
a transporta$le office e6uipped to accommodate up to 12 staff to $e involved with the
control scheduling and reporting of vaccination activity and the provision of necessary
supplies2
a transporta$le mess room providing $asic facilities &rest room and canteen* for staff
and for use for meetings. /he =ess 3oom will also $e the operational centre for a small
team of reserve Faccinators responsi$le for control+ cleaning+ disinfection and
distri$ution of handling e6uipment2
a secure e6uipment storage facility+ consisting of hired containers2
a secure facility for clinical waste.
%1. range of potentially suita$le sites have $een identified around <" for possi$le use as
vaccination centres. #n doing so+ consideration has $een given to the following factorsI
good road access to the target area&s* and to any satellite centres E where possi$le+ within
the target area2
appropriate security systems &day and night*2
par!ing2
office accommodation for management and administrative staff2
appropriate #/ and telecoms facilities2
secure refrigerated storage facilities for vaccine2
storage facilities for e6uipment &vaccination !its+ personal protection e6uipment+
foot$aths+ $uc!ets+ tagging and inspection e6uipment+ etc.2
facilities for mi0ing+ storage and safe disposal of disinfectant2
suita$le area for plunge disinfection of Personal Protective E6uipment &PPE* and
su$se6uent drying2
suita$le area for vaccination team dispatch.
E1uipment
%'. /he Faccination -ontractor is contracted to supply+ store and distri$ute the necessary
e6uipment to support a vaccination programme and to replace items as they reach the end of their
shelf life or have $een found to deteriorate. /he -ontractor will appoint 4tores =anagers to
maintain these stores E which will hold enough e6uipment to supply 1> vaccination teams and
associated veterinary surgeons for at least the first 1 days of a vaccination programme.
%(. Defra will remain responsi$le for the supply of disinfectant+ ear tags and applicators and
mo$ile handling facilities.
%ersonne"
%7. /he vaccination contractor is in a position of $eing operationally capa$le of vaccinating on
day 1 following a decision to mo$ilise. /o arrive at this state of readiness+ sufficient lay
vaccinators and support staff have $een trained to provide 1> teams and 17 private vets have
$een recruited to support this first response team. 9or!ing under the overall control of nimal
5ealth the role of these vets will $e to conduct preEvaccination farm visits+ to chec! for any overt
signs of disease+ and also to $e responsi$le for the veterinary direction of vaccination teams in
the field. /he vaccination contractor also has the capa$ility to ramp up to at least 11> vaccination
teams.
%@. 5ealth and 4afety /eam will $e esta$lished $y the vaccination contractor as part of the
management of operational aspects. /his team will produce ris! assessments for preEvaccination
visits $y vets+ for farm vaccinators+ on handling facilities and maintain the necessary
documentation to accompany this. /he vaccination contractor will comply with $est practice and
all relevant provisions whether statutory or otherwise+ relating to health and safety at wor! and
shall ensure that employees and su$Econtractors also comply and shall produce evidence of such
compliance if as!ed to do so.
.>. ll e0ternal contractors will $e provided with+ and will ma!e themselves familiar with+
"iosecurity Protocols.
.1. /o ensure that emergency vaccination could $e implemented without delays in any future
out$rea!+ the Feterinary 4urgeons ct 1@'' and the =edicines ct 1@'7 have $een amended.
/his allows nonEveterinary personnel to handle and administer Foot and =outh Disease vaccine
and in particular will allow vaccine to $e supplied and administered $y lay vaccinators whoI
re 17 years of age or over
re acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon+ and
5ave o$tained a certificate of competence from a veterinary surgeon
Vaccine 0upp"ies and Emergenc$ Vaccination Arrangements
.2. /he A) has its own stoc!s of Foot and =outh Disease antigen+ held on its $ehalf $y a
commercial supplier. #n addition+ the EA Faccine "an! holds a wide range of antigens for
emergency use. /he num$er of doses availa$le and strains is !ept under review+ including ta!ing
advice from #5 Pir$right on those strains of Foot and =outh Disease which present the greatest
ris! to the A). Faccine formulation from the antigen $y the designated e0ternal contractor ta!es
. days.
.%. separate callEoff contract is in place with e0ternal contractor for the delivery of vaccine
&stored at the correct temperature* to the vaccination centre.
... #f a vaccination Cone is set up+ a vaccination surveillance Cone of at least 1> !m width
surrounding the vaccination Cone must $e designated.
.1. Apon esta$lishment of the emergency vaccination Cone+ the vaccination contractor will then
produce a complete list of holdings within selected parishes &or other agreed area to $e targeted*
in the Faccination -ontrol Jone and identify those with animals that re6uire vaccination. . /his
information will $e drawn together from the following sources+ which Defra will provide access
to+ where appropriateI
-ensus Data+
/he 3ural Payments gency &3P*2
-attle /racing 4ystem &-/4*2
#ntegrated dministration and -ontrol &#-4* data2
nimal 5ealthKs Disease -ontrol 4ystem &D-4* on #nfected Premises and Dangerous
-ontacts2
-onte0tual datasets+ such as Ordnance 4urvey &O4*+ "oundary 8ine &to produce parish
and county $oundaries*+ and O4 raster map products.
8ist of holdings containing a $reeding nucleus of animal genetic resources &rare $reeds*.
.'. /he vaccination contractor will then contact farmers to arrange visits &giving % days notice
where possi$le* and chec! animal handling facilities.
.(. PreEvaccination visits $y veterinary surgeons appointed $y the vaccination contractor will $e
arranged to carry out inspections which will detect suspected Foot and =outh Disease and to
e0clude these from the vaccination programme.
.7. /eams will $e withdrawn from farms where clinical signs of Foot and =outh Disease are
discovered. #n doing so+ $iosecurity protocols must $e followed &i.e. remove traces of organic
matter from clothing+ e6uipment+ disinfect and remove any protective clothing at gate+ wash
wellingtons+ waterproofs and e6uipment &inc. vehicles* with an approved disinfectant+ and place
all items for disposal into a clinical waste $ag+ which should then $e sealed for disposal. /eams
would $e redeployed after suita$le $iosecurity protocols have $een followed and a (2 hour
$rea!.
.@. 9here Foot and =outh Disease is not found+ vaccination teams will $e deployed within 2.
hours to carry out vaccination+ record animal num$ers+ collect and return records. Faccinated
animals will $e earEtagged in a manner outlined in the Foot and =outh Disease &-ontrol of
Faccination* &England* 3egulations 2>>' and advised $y Defra. For identification purposes+
vaccinated cattle will also have their details recorded on the cattle passport and+ for all animals+
on the nimal healths disease control data$ase.
1>. Ander the current A) =ar!eting uthorisation conditions+ Foot and =outh Disease vaccine
is authorised for use as a multi dose vaccine i.e. the initial vaccine is followed $y a a further
$ooster typically after si0 . 5owever in an out$rea! situation where the disease has $een rapidly
$rought under control it will not $e necessary to administer $ooster doses.
11. /he vaccination contractor will also provide progress reports and ad hoc management
information to the :D-- in :o$el 5ouse $y 17.>> hours daily.
Timing
12. /he vaccination contractor is re6uired to $e operationally capa$le of vaccinating within 1
days of $eing mo$ilised with at least 1( vets &although a reserve of over '> E (> vets has $een
recruited* and sufficient trained vaccinators and support staff for 1> teams. 9or!ing under the
overall control of nimal 5ealth+ the role of these vets will $e to conduct preEvaccination farm
visits+ to chec! for any overt signs of disease+ and also to $e responsi$le for the veterinary
direction of vaccination teams in the field. s emergency vaccination is to $e considered as an
option from the start of any future Foot and =outh Disease out$rea!+ the vaccination contractor
will normally $e placed on stand$y as soon as disease is confirmed. /he particular strain of the
Foot and =outh Disease virus would need to $e identified and the vaccine would need to $e
formulated $efore any decisions on vaccination could $egin.
1%. Feterinary advice to =inisters will $e $ased on epidemiological evidence and it is unli!ely to
$e immediately availa$le. #t is pro$a$le that gathering epidemiological data+ veterinary
assessment of this epidemiological data+ modelling+ the use of the Decision /ree and the
development of advice on the strategic deployment of vaccination made it unli!ely that a
decision to vaccinate would until several days into an out$rea!.
E2pert (roup
An Foot and Mouth Disease E2pert (roup has been estab"ished3 to maintain an e2pertise in
order to assist in ensuring preparedness against a disease outbreak!
1.. /he Foot and =outh Disease Directive re6uires the esta$lishment of a permanently
operational e0pert group comprised of epidemiologists+ veterinary scientists and virologists+ to
maintain an e0pertise in order to assist the competent authority in ensuring preparedness against
an out$rea! of Foot and =outh Disease. /he Directive also sets down the functions this group
would $e e0pected to fulfill if an out$rea! occurred.
11. PreEout$rea! the Foot and =outh Disease E0pert <roup will usually meet on at least a si0
monthly $asis.
1'. #n the event of an out$rea!+ the Foot and =outh Disease E0pert <roup in some form could
meet on a daily $asis.
/he Foot and =outh Disease E0pert <roup will compriseI
=em$ership of the :ational E0pert <roup
-hair &normally D-FO*
4ecretariat
greed science e0pert&s* from #5EPir$right2
lead Feterinary dviser2
policy o$server2
4cottish <overnment veterinary lead
9elsh ssem$ly <overnment veterinary lead2
D3D:# veterinary lead2
nimal 5ealth Fet and /ech services representative
During out$rea!s there is additionallyI
Epidemiologist from :ational Emergency Epidemiology <roup &:EE<*2
nimal 5ealth representative to advise on practicalities of disease
control options2
4enior Policy representative.
#f needed the following may $e invitedI
Economist2
E0ports representative2
#mports and;or international situation representative2
Epidemiologist
E0ternal scientific or veterinary e0perts
=eteorologist from =et Office; #5EPir$right
=odelling e0perts
#f not otherwise stated the mem$ers are from the Food and Farming <roup in Defra
1(. /he e0pert group will $e a strategic;tactical level group of specialists whose role will $e to
provide advice to senior management on surveillance programmes+ analyse information and
advise on control strategies. /hey will report to and $e directed $y the nimal Disease Policy
<roup. #n an out$rea! the E0pert <roup will also have close lin!s with the :EE<+ the :D--
and the 4-EED through its nominated mem$er.
4ationa" Emergencies Epidemio"og$ (roup +4EE(-
17. During an out$rea!+ the :EE< operates as an operational unit within the Loint -oEordination
-entre+ reporting direct to the :D-- Director of Operations. /he :EE< is composed of various
epidemiological e0perts drawn from Defra+ the Feterinary 8a$oratories gency and nimal
5ealth. #ts main functions are toI
Provide epidemiological advice and assessment on the determinants+ level and
distri$ution of disease to the :ational E0perts <roup &:E<*+ other groups and the -FO
A) to inform decisions on disease control and prevention measures including vaccination
and surveillance2
8ead the epidemiological investigations of e0otic disease out$rea!s with Delivery
gents2
Design surveillance plans with Delivery gents and analyse surveillance outcomes2
-ontri$ute epidemiological information and e0pertise to veterinary ris! assessments2
Provide epidemiology reports or the epidemiological components of reports to Defra+ the
pu$lic we$site+ European -ommission and O#E2 Deliver epidemiological modeling.
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/fmd/control/outbreak
manage.htm