Summary
Following the 2001 outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease
(FMD), Dr Iain Anderson published a report, 'Foot and Mouth Disease 2001:
Lessons to be Learned Inquiry - Report' (HC 888, 2001-02), providing an
analysis of what happened with recommendations. Another FMD outbreak occurred
in the summer of 2007 and the Government again asked Dr Iain Anderson to
conduct a review to find out if the lessons of 2001 had been learned and
whether new recommendations were needed.
This report, 'Foot and Mouth
Disease 2007: Review' (HC 312), is built around the findings of 2001, with a
particular look at the Pirbright facility - the source of the virus
incriminated in this recent outbreak.
Dr Anderson's Report is
divided into five sections:
- Section 1 - Foreword
- Section 2 -
Summary and Recommendations
- Section 3 - Lessons Learned
- Section
4 - Pirbright
- Section 5 - Appendices.
The Report's
conclusions include:
- There was much to applaud in the handling of
the 2007 outbreak, along with some deficiencies, but that the positives
outweigh the negatives.
- The strong leadership of the Prime Minister, as
well as the contingency planning and better integration of scientific advice
and the capabilities at the centre of disease control strategies, were
commendable.
- External communication was also greatly improved.
- Less encouraging were the inadequate infrastructure and governance of the
Pirbright facility, where the Institute for Animal Health is located, and the
poor regulatory regime in place to licence work with dangerous animal
pathogens.
- The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Defra) information systems were also found wanting.
The Report
recommends that the Institute for Animal Health should become the new National
Institute of Infectious Diseases, supported by multiple sources of funding from
government and elsewhere. Also recommended is the creation of an Independent
Advisory Committee on Animal and Emerging Infectious Diseases - combining a
high level group of experts along with other stakeholders - with a mission to
provide independent advice to government. It would also link closely with the
Government's and departmental Chief Scientific Advisors and include the Chief
Veterinary Office and Chief Medical Officer amongst its members.
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