Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 December 2011.

Agriculture: Food and Mouth

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 22 November (WA 219–20), how the accuracy of the lateral flow device for the detection of foot and mouth disease virus compares with the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.

Answer: While a positive result from a lateral flow device will confirm a positive suspicion of foot and mouth disease (FMD), a negative result cannot be relied on to confirm absence of disease. False negative results are very likely to be given in cases: where samples are collected from animals where FMD is suspected but they are showing few clinical signs; from those where disease may be incubating, i.e. in contact animals with no clinical signs but the animal is infected; and where infection has passed through several days earlier and lesions are healing. The laboratory confirmation of field cases therefore remain essential; where more sensitive tests such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus serotyping assays can be carried out.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13676; 733 c155WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Agriculture: Foot and Mouth
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Foot and mouth disease Testing
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk