EPIDEMIC MYSTERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18598, 8 January 1935, Page 4

EPIDEMIC MYSTERY

STARLINGS CARRY GERMS?

£20,000 COMPENSATION

MARKET RASEN (Eng.), Nov. 18. This little town, the centre _of the present disastrous outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in North Lincolnshire, is suffering considerably. New cases have recently been confirmed in other countries, and as far south as Oxfordshire, but the main centre of infection is still in this district. The Ministry of Agriculture have established three fully staffed temporary offices at Market Rasen, Brigig, and Louth for dealing with' the outbreak, and inspectors who have been rushed into Lincolnshire from other areas are working at high pressure. The plight of farmers, many of whom have lost valuable pedigree herds taking years to establish, is tragic. In tho Market Rasen neighborhood to date 240 cattle, 605 sheep, and 125 pigs have been destroyed and burned, but these figures do not by any means represent the full extent of the loss. In the past fortnight the disease has swept over North Lincolnsfcife like a plague, and 29 outbreaks, one as far away as Spilsby, have been confirmed. Compensation is being paid out to an amount considerably in excess of £20.000. MYSTERY OF INFECTION

One of the mysteries of the outbreaks, which have proved the most active in recent years, is the rapidity with which the disease has spread. It is recognised that “foot and month,as. it is popularlv termed, is extraordinarily infective, but the manner in which, in. this ponntv, it lias jumped over intervening districts, without, as it has seemed, the_ possibility of establishing connection with earlier outbreaks, has been remarkable.

An interesting theory now being investigated by the Ministry is that the virus, which is perhaps the most virulent known to veterinary science, may be carried bv the immense flocks of starlings which may now be seen flying from farm to farm.

.4 standstill order, which is rigidly applied to all stock, is maintained throughout the affected area. Hopes are entertained that the outbreak may be got under control sufficiently early for interference with the Christmas ' marketing arrangements to be avoided.