Foot-and-mouth outbreak confirmed in Russia

There has been an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Russia, Defra has confirmed.

The virus was first confirmed in Vladimir region, West Russia, earlier this month (16 October), with 90 out of 800 cattle reported to be showing clinical signs.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed the strain as stereotype Asia-1, although the source of the outbreak is still unknown.

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Defra said the risk of the disease entering the UK was “low”, adding: “Russia is not approved for legal trade with the EU for any FMD-susceptible livestock species and imports of products of animal origin should be treated or certified as origination in FMD-free regions.”

In the meantime, the OIE is working in conjunction with the Russian veterinarian authorities to contain the disease.

Movement controls have already been put in place and animals will be vaccinated.