Last week, two cases of foot and mouth disease were discovered in cattle on separate farms close to Guildford, Surrey. The third suspected case of the disease has been reported outside a 10-kilometer (six-mile) surveillance zone near Dorking, southwest of London.
Debby Reynolds said test results from the third farm suspected of harboring an outbreak have not been received, and vaccinations have not been planned. However, she said the situation was under control and vaccines were ready.
British authorities have established a three-kilometer (1.9-mile) protection zone and a 10-kilometer (six-mile) surveillance zone around the farm as a precautionary measure.
In the country's last foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, more than six million cattle were culled. Losses were estimated at over eight billion pounds (over $16 billion).
Russia's veterinary watchdog suspended imports of meat products from the United Kingdom as of August 6 due to the outbreak.
