[01
MAR 01]
WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS
Coventry In Foot And Mouth
Risk Area
Parts
of Coventry have been closed to the public after they were included with
Bedworth Nuneaton and Atherstone in an area deemed at risk from foot and
mouth disease.
Areas
of the city to the north of the M6 motorway have been shut off to stop
members of the public spreading the deadly infection.
The
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have designated an infection
area following the discovery of a case of foot and mouth disease at
Lindley Hall Farm in fenny Drayton, near Nuneaton.
Government
rules state that an area of at least 10km shall be earmarked as being at
risk from infection. If there are windy conditions the area can be
extended.
Following
yesterday’s discovery, an area stretching from Coalville and the east of
Leicester down to Coventry and over to near Tamworth has been marked out
as an infected area.
This
includes Sowe Common, Lentons Lane Cemetery, Lentons Lane Farm, two pubs
and about 100 houses in Coventry.
Footpaths
around the common are closed to the public. Dog owners in the area must
keep their animals secure so they cannot escape onto open land.
Dogs
and cats cannot catch the disease, but can spread it to animals with
hoofs, such as cows, pigs, sheep and goats.
If
dogs are being walked in the area they must now be kept on the road and on
a lead.
People
living in the affected area will have a leaflet delivered through their
doors today to tell them about what to do.
The
cemetery will remain open for funerals and to allow relatives to visit
graves. But visitors have been urged to take care to stick to the road
when travelling.
Cllr
John McNicholas, cabinet member (Environmental Services) said today:
“The
lives of many people are closely linked to the countryside.
“This
virulent disease is very easily spread as it is carried on almost
anything including shoes, buggies and on the feet of dogs and horses.
“We
all have a moral duty as responsible citizens to reduce the spread of
this disease.
“I
would ask people to take heed of the warnings and co-operate fully
during this difficult time.
“The
livelihoods of our farmers could be at risk here and we need to protect
them and our countryside.”
To see
a map of the designated infected area, click
here.
According
to the MAFF web site, the procedure for dealing with infected premises is:
“Notices
are posted at all entrances to the premises and a policeman or local
authority inspector controls the movement of people on and off the farm.
“An
approved disinfectant is provided so that footwear, clothing and
vehicles may be disinfected before entering or leaving the premises.
”Preliminary
disinfection of the premises is commenced. As soon as possible after
confirmation of disease the infected animals are valued and slaughtered.
“Other
susceptible animals are then valued and they too are slaughtered without
delay.”
SEE
[01 MAR 01] PATHS CLOSED AS DISEASE
CRISIS DEEPENS
SEE
[01 MAR 01] EMERGENCY FOOT AND
MOUTH CONTACT DETAILS
SEE
[28 FEB 01] FOOT AND MOUTH CASE
FOUND NEAR NUNEATON
SEE
[28 FEB 01] WARWICKSHIRE CLOSES
AMID FOOT AND MOUT FEARS
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