FOOT AND MOUTH ODYSSEY

Foot and Mouth Disease was diagnosed in the UK in Feb 2001.  (The last outbreak was in 1967.) 

Source and Spread—
It is suspected that a farmer in Heddon-on-the-Wall (Bobby Waugh), licensed to feed swill to pigs, fed some scraps from a Chinese restaurant that contained the FMD virus.  (Now of course, some (i.e., Fritz) might say that one could not spread FMD from Chinese food ,because dogs and cats don’t get FMD!

The subsequent spread of infection is traceable to some extent.  Virus from the source farm spread to seven other farms in Tyne and Wear.  Sheep from one of these farms were sent to Hexham market on 13 February.  Sheep from the 13 February market at Hexham were sent to markets at Longtown, Cumbria and further dispersed from there over the period 14-24 February.  So within days, at a time when they were still unaware of the disease, infected sheep were criss-crossing the country in hundreds of separate movements, putting them into contact with other livestock.

From Longtown market, sheep were sent to markets at Carlisle, Welshpool, to dealers at Highampton in Devon, Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway, Dearham in Cumbria and Nantwich in Cheshire, Hereford, etc. 

Shortly after the outbreak was confirmed, our USDA arranged with MAFF (UK’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to send US veterinarians over to assist w/the outbreak as Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVI).  As part of the agreement, we were granted a temporary membership in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), allowing us to practice veterinary medicine in the UK.  Civilian US veterinarians were sent as GS-9 or  GS-11.

Groups of US vets were sent to London every week for  4-week rotations.  I left April here April 25, 2001.  Here is my story…

4/26/01
Hello everyone!

It's 9:50PM in London; I arrived 6:30AM and met Dr. Lanman (also from VMAT-4) at the airport.  We took a taxi to the hotel, and as they were not ready for us (this was only the beginning!), we visited the MAFF office.  Dr. Lanman's letter follows. 

We had a briefing w/the returning vets, and rec’d some interesting advice.  Try to ride w/an experienced TVI; don’t expect too much; be flexible and patient, as policies change daily, if not more so; and the biggest best piece of advice, “Drive left, look right!”

Now I'm at an internet cafe; and I'm tired!  Anyway, there are 14 vets in our group.  We had a briefing this afternoon w/the departing vets.  Tomorrow they pick us up at 9AM for a briefing at MAFF, then we'll be sent on assignments; 4 of us are going to Ayr, Scotland!  This is the 1st time MAFF has sent anyone from the US to Scotland; so should be interesting.  We'll fly out to Scotland in the afternoon, meet at the local office, get a car, assignments and head out, talking w/farmers, doing inspections, etc.  Each of us will be on our own. 

Well, that's about it for now.  I'll try to write when I get a chance.  don't have any idea how big Ayr is! 

Hope all is well.
me

(from Dr. Lanman)

04/30
HELLO FROM SCOTLAND!

I'm at the public library now, Monday afternoon, in Dumfries, Scotland. 

Since arriving in London early Thurs. AM, we had a cancelled 11AM meeting, a briefing at 5PM, and then another meeting Fri. AM.  There are 14 vets from the US in this group; most are from govt and/or academia.  4 of us were scheduled to go to Scotland.  MAFF, the Ministry of Ag, Fish and Food, is in charge of the operation.  This is the first time they've sent anyone from US to Scotland.  The problem there, as in England, is on the downside, but there is still a lot of culling to be done and huge political issues. 

Anyway, Drs. Zeidner (CDC), Peters (FDA), Tayler (OSU) and I were sent to Scotland.  We had a 9AM meeting at MAFF headqtrs on Fri; we were all picked up in taxis and went over there, where we were told we 4 would leave at 10:30 to catch a train to a plane (Stansted Airport, N. London) to Glasgow (Prestwick Airport), thereby missing most of the briefing and a buffet lunch! 

Apparently communication is not very good between rt. and lt. hands.  The hotel in London did not have our names and the rooms were not ready.  The 11AM meeting was cancelled; when we got to the N. London a/p, we almost missed our flight; we landed in Glasgow where someone was supposed to meet us (we were told) and after an hour of waiting found out we were supposed to rent cars and drive to our hotel in Ayr. 

Well, we got some directions at the airport and started off driving on the LEFT side of the road--remember, “drive left, look right”!  It was quite interesting driving in the UK; fortunately, the road to Ayr had light traffic, and after a few wrong turns, we finally found our hotel.  Actually, it was a nice, small, ocean-side village.  We arrived ~5pm, checked into our tiny rooms, had a drink, dinner (very nice, but no haggis on the menu), a walk into town (very quiet), a nightcap and off to bed. 

We were supposed to be at MAFF Ayr sometime Sat., but who knows when.  We never heard from anyone, but did have a map, approx. location (from the car rental folks), but no address.  So, we had a nice Scottish breakfast (included w/our accommodations), eggs, bacon, blood sausage, petite pain (what I would call a roll!) and off to find the MAFF office.  After an hour or so of driving and asking, we did find it.  There, after having to wait for ~20 minutes, we met w/Paddy Grant, the local director.  He was very nice, but a bit lost as to what to do w/us, it seemed.  He only learned the day before that we were arriving there.  Anyway, we had a nice, long briefing till ~5pm, then he sent us to Dumfries, Scotland.  With nary a map, we set off for the 2.5-hr drive south and east.  Actually, we only got lost a couple of times, but did get split up in the traffic and in the round-abouts, but we all arrived at our designated hotel safe and sound.  Actually, the drive was very nice, thru the country, very green, very wet, lots of rolling farmland, and sheep.  It rained very hard, intermittently, the entire trip. 

At the designated hotel, the Edenbank (for the duration of the month, as far as we knew) they were expecting us, but did not have rooms for us for the entire period.  (Another interesting factoid, app. the govt. policy is single rooms en suite (if you don’t know what that means, as I didn’t, let me know).  Pretty cool.)  So, we checked in, but only for 2-3 days, then out a day or two, then back, then out, then back.  We doubled up tonite to avoid one of the in/outs, but there are app. no rooms avail. for the 4th and 5th in Dumfries (all the MAFF vets in town).  The owner was very nice and is trying to find something.  We think Ayr MAFF knew this problem before they sent us down but didn't tell us.  But, no big deal; we just want to do something and help! 

So, we checked in, had dinner there (poor food, at best, and still no haggis!).  On Sunday, we had breakfast and went to MAFF Dumfries, Broom Rd. (here they call things by their street name, e.g., “Broom Rd.” or “Page St.” (main office in London).  There we met Dr. Charley MacLean, in charge there.  He was very nice, had another orientation, then got us “kitted” (supplies, e.g., cell phones, GPS units, disinfectant, bucket, Tyvex suits, outer gear, boots, etc.)  App. he did not know why we were sent there either, but set us up w/Allocations (who assigns people (vets) and supplies) to be sent out.  Well, we waited around that afternoon and were not called up.  We went back to the hotel, to report Monday 8AM (today). Needless to say, we sat around all AM, finally took off on my own (Allocations said just stay available w/your phone) and here I am.  I did see a little of the town; it's on a river and very quaint.  This AM was beautiful and sunny, but it started raining again this afternoon. 

The FMD outbreak seems to be past the worst stage, and they're mostly doing final follow-ups and patrols here in Scotland.  I think it's the same in England as well.  I'm not sure what, if anything we'll be doing.  I assume we'll go out some time.  Meanwhile, I think it's sit and wait.  One of our members was sent to a village an hour away, but we're still here.  There are a lot of vets here, and most have told us the same thing: “you should have been here 3-4 weeks ago!”

So, that's about it for now.  It is pretty here, but wet.  The food is OK, there are very few sheep left in the Dumfries area.  We are just north (duh) and adjacent to the Cumbria area of England, which is the hardest hit area of England.  Of course, all of this is under the UK MAFF, but Scotland does have some of it's own hierarchy and communications systems that DON'T talk to England's.  So, obviously, there is a fair degree of confusion and lack of communication, and I think we're caught in the middle of it. 

On the other hand, they have been thru a terrible, massive ordeal, have fallen behind the proverbial 8 ball early on, and hence, have been playing “catch up” instead of staying ahead of the game.  The farmers seem very helpful and receptive; the reimbursement is very generous; but it is still quite tragic.

Well, that's it for now.  I'll try to check in again when I can.  I hope all is well. 

me


May 2

Hello again,

Today is Wed., it’s noon, and I’m at the library in Dumfries again.  However, yesterday was a very good but long, day.  I was sitting around, again, in the canteen, waiting for something to do, for someone to call.  Well, ~10AM, someone called out,  “anyone want to help bleed some sheep?”  Well, I had nothing to do, so I said sure!  It turns out one of the other vets on patrol had found some lesions and was going back to draw some blood.

Well, it turned out to be quite an adventure.  Dr. Helen Lietch, a TVI (Temp. Vet. Insp., like we all are) needed some help.  She’s a Scottish vet, working for MAFF.  There are a number of Scottish vets working now; they’re getting paid £250 per day (~$350 USD!; they started offering £150 but couldn’t get anyone…); relief work is called locum—what does that mean?

Anyway, she was working patrol (rechecking “clean” premises) and came across some questionable lesions.  She called MAFF Central (Page St.) and they decided to cull (kill) the animals on the premise as “SOS” (slaughter on suspicion) and collect a number of samples, defined by the Epidemiology Dept.  So, another Scot TVI, Colm, and I went w/Helen 45 min. west to the farm.  It was beautiful country—rolling green hills, on a lake.  We arrived at noon; there were 2 cull (killing) teams there and another TVI, John, already working.  It turns out we were supposed to help w/the cull, i.e., oversee the operation, and all lambs (<30 lbs) are euthanized w/pentobarb, IC (intracardiac (directly into the heart, a la, Pulp Fiction)). 

We ended up euthanizing ~600 lambs (I probably did >half myself), and helped the culling team w/~160 cows and 400 sheep (captive bolt).  First we would bleed the cows/sheep, then examine them post-euthanasia.  We collected >200 samples and saw a number of very suspicious lesions, many w/fever. 

It was hard but very productive (if you can call it that) work.  By the time we were done it was 3:30 in the morning; and after what started as a very nice, sunny, SD-like day, there was ice on our windshields when we left!  I got home ~4, and got to the MAFF office at 9 this AM. 

Now for the political stuff!  Helen and I feel the lesions are very likely FMD.  If that was the case, the area should have been called an IP (infected premise) which would start another 3km culling zone around it.  However, MAFF Central decided to NOT call it infected until the results of titers come back.  Now realize they can call a premise infected based on the TVI’s clinical impression only, and cull everything (sheep, pigs, cattle) on the premise as COC (cull on clinical); and all sheep and pigs in a 3km radius, contiguous properties, and “dangerous contacts” (DC’s; other farms which had high risk contact, e.g., movement of animals, etc.) are culled as well. 

I believe this is the best strategy to stop the epidemic ASAP.  Although it is very aggressive, this condition needs an aggressive approach if it is to be stopped early.  By waiting and culling only confirmed cases, we allow the disease to spread and are quickly behind the curve, playing catch up, and putting out more and more new “fires”, as they are doing now.  It would be akin to creating a firebreak ring around the outbreak, meaning cutting down all healthy trees in a ring outside of the “hotspot”, e.g., 3km, thereby containing it.  Once you let a spark fly out and start another, albeit small, fire, try to ID and extinguish that one, after it may have already spread sparks to another area, and on and on, you are too late.  Anyway, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.  You know me, act swiftly and mercilessly; that’s the best for the BIG picture! 

Now, of course, politically (small, whiny, make everyone happy small picture), we have to save “every” tree possible, and, “oh how terrible it would be to kill an INNOCENT tree that MAY not catch on fire…”  Well it sounds good, but you can see, at least w/a disease like FMD which can spread like wildfire, how you may easily save a few, possibly “innocent” trees, only to lose the forest! 

Now, I see much debate and differing views between individuals within and among the various levels of admin.  One of the local muck-e-mucks thinks SOS (slaughter on suspicion, i.e., cull but take samples) is a bit pointless.  We’re trying to save the forest, remember.  So, if the samples come up negative, you have to tell the farmer we killed all of you healthy animals.  Well, what good is that?  (Plus, there is great question as to the accuracy of using serology to accurately dx the disease!—another story.)  And you can see what a political can of worms that opens.  I tend to agree w/him and think we should COC and move on. 

So, we have local command (Dumfries), a bit higher (Ayr, Scotland), and the top, Page St. (interesting how the Brits call every agency by there street address, e.g., 10 Downing St., etc.), which is in London 500 miles away, and run by bureaucrats!  (the head of Dumfries is a veterinarian!).  And, of course, Tony (Blair) is running for re-election! 

OK, enough of that.  Anyway, I am now “dirty”, i.e., contaminated, at least we think so—however if MAFF, in it’s infinite glory says the samples were all negative, we will still be “clean” and can go onto unaffected premises—and will need to wait 72 hrs (at least as of today) to be “clean”.  [Note: it turns out that the lab results were negative, but we all considered ourselves dirty as we were convinced disease was on the premise.]

Anyway, I have requested to return to the animal-less farm to see the next step in the process: the building of the pyre.  MAFF is treating this as an IP (infected premise), i.e., all carcasses will be burned on the premise.  They start by digging a trench, 2ft deep x 4ft wide x 9 ft per cow (or 3 sheep).  Kindling (i.e., 4x4 timbers) and straw are laid across the trench to create a “bed” for the carcasses, which are then covered by grade I coal (which burns the hottest)—250kg per cow!—then kerosene, and finally, a match.  Voila!  FMD flambé!  This pyre will burn ~2 days leaving only ashes.  Then another trench is dug, and the ashes are buried under 6 ft.  Since I’m not needed for anything else right now (patrols/rechecks of clean nearby farms are performed by clean TVI’s) they said I can go out to see the process; so I’ll be leaving shortly. 

One thing I do see is MAFF is very good about getting any/all equipment needed.  Yesterday, the had 2 skip loaders to load the carcasses onto 2 (alternating) huge trailers to be hauled out to the pyre site, heavy equipment for the trenching/fire building, large generator-driven lights, chutes, panels, plenty of help, lumber, coal, etc., as well as personal gear, supplies, etc.  And, I cannot say enough about the culling teams—a slaughterman and 5-8 helpers, tractor drivers, etc.  These people were all professional, empathetic, and great workers!  And they all kept fun, positive attitudes throughout, despite working from 8AM-3:30AM!!!  Great people! 

Well, that’s it for today.  It has been an interesting day.

The weather, as I said, has been beautiful the last few days, but I hear the rain is returning in the next day or two.  The food is good, but still haven’t had haggis (as I understand, it’s all the junk cow parts that no one else eats, mixed w/barley or some other grain, packed in a sheep’s stomach, and boiled.  YUM YUM, can’t wait!)

I’ll write again when I get a chance.  I hope you are well, and hope to hear from you soon. 

tp


It’s Thursday, 03 May, ~3:30pm.

Not much happening today.  Yesterday I made it out to the same farm to see the cremation process.  It was pretty much like I told you before: trench (for draft), logs, lumber (kindling), straw, coal, carcasses, coal, straw, and diesel.  It was very fast going up; they were digging the trench as we were culling on Tues, by 7pm Wed we lit the fire; and it was hot!  D&C (Decontamination and Cleaning) will be out today, and that’s it for this farm for quite a while.  They may restock starting next year.

Today, since I’m still dirty, not much to do unless another cull comes up.  The news in Scotland is that the last pyres have been lit (probably mine!) and they expect no more unless new cases are found.  Quite unlike it sounds in England where Lorna is (Lorna, where are you?).  Things are pretty quiet here.  The only other thing I could do would be to man the telephone hotlines, but I don’t really know enough to help the farmers w/their questions, I think and more so, I can hardly understand the language!!!  However, I’ll probably sit in the phone room to get a feel for the calls later.  There are still a number of vets waiting for jobs, but a number of them are leaving this week or next  Sounds like they could use us down south!

The Scots surely don’t like the ‘Brits’, do they?  One fellow I was talking to kept blaming everything bad in Scotland on the English.  He was also saying how differently the Scottish politicians in the Dumfries/Galloway district (where all of the FMD in Scotland is) handled the crisis here as opposed to England.  As I said, it was just one day from culling to burning since the beginning, here.  The local politician(s?) threw his full support behind the effort making everything available that was needed.  App. in England, there was much hemming and hawing, passing the buck, etc., and as we heard, carcasses were on the ground, waiting disposal for up to 2 weeks or more!  Not here.

Anyway, we’ll see what comes up.  Meantime, I stay pretty close; I’ve gotten to know the town of Dumfries well enough, esp. how to get to the library!  There is a small internet café/real café (good cappuccino, I hear), but they have only 4 computers and it’s £1.50/30 min (as opposed to, what, FREE!  Duh!). Tomorrow we have to check out of our hotel for two nites, as they are booked; I think they’ve found another place for us to stay a bit out of town; then we’re supposed to come back to the Edenbrook; we may look for another…I’m doing fine; the culling I did 2 days ago was a bit sad, but I’m not really involved locally.  I met the farmer briefly, but have not spoken w/any of them.  This family did come out and stood on an adjacent hill to watch us light the pyre.  I guess some farmers have actually lit the fires themselves (poss. closure?), and others did not want to watch at all.

I do understand that they are being compensated well, up to 1.5x FMV, or even more.  Of course, farmers working on special strains, improving their genetic stock, still lose that.  But, what can be done?  I think everyone is trying, and overall, cooperation seems good.  That’s what I’ve heard from the few other vets and Animal Health Officers I’ve spoken with.  I get the feeling losing cows (dairy) is worse than the sheep.  However, the long-term implications are tremendous, not just for the farmers, but for the local community and all the way up the ladder—UK and EU as well.  It will be at least 1.5-2 years for the farmers to get back into the swing of things.

There is much talk on the radio—everyone second guessing everyone else.  The controversy over vacc. continues.  Remember, this is not just handled by the UK as they please; there are lots of guidelines handed down by the EU.  So, vacc. is not recommended as they will not be able to sell on the open market; but I heard on the radio that Holland DOES vacc for FMD and does sell to the EU.  In fact, UK imports a lot of pork, etc., from Holland!  And what about Ireland???  No one seems to know what they’re doing.  Well, all beyond my scope.  But if I had to take a position, from what I understand, I think the “no vacc.” policy is good.

Now for the really big question: was this disease really called Hoof and Mouth before?  And if so, when was it changed?  And why?  And by whom?  (those bastards!)

I guess that’s it for now.  It is another beautiful day, but they do keep saying poss. rain coming.  Let me know if I’m boring you.

me


05/05

Hi there,

I'm in Newcastle now!  WE were sitting around yesterday at Dumfries (as usual) and the Paddy, the VO (Vet. Officer) from Ayre asked if we wanted to go to Newcastle; so we drove down, leaving Dumfries just as they were gearing up for follow-up patrols!  They have >2000 premises that need to be inspected 21 days-post-cull to remove the form D's! 

When we got here, we were met w/the same blank looks, like “why are you here/who sent you?”  They did find housing for us; unfortunately it's only a 4-star, in the countryside, on a river, pool, Jacuzzi, gym, fine dining room--we were forced to resort to braised lamb shank, roast breast of duck and turbot for sustenance! 

I'm doing fine, just waiting for an assignment.  Since I'm dirty, I may go on another cull, or will be clean tomorrow and available for patrols.  Who knows?  Good thing I have a book!  Hope you are well. 
ttys, tp


05/06, Sun AM

Hello!  I trust you are fine and well.  I'm doing fine.  Yesterday I went to a DC (Dangerous Contact) and culled 110 sheep/150 lambs.  It was pretty far north, in Bamburgh--where there's a neat castle--and the breeze off of the North Sea can be pretty chilling.  Fortunately, the weather has still been excellent; sunny, maybe 60-65 during the day, 35 at nite.  I took the scenic coast route back to Newcastle; it was beautiful; Bamburgh castle, Howick, Sea Houses, Almouth, Warkworth Castle, Amble, Wellbaugh...  I got back to Newcastle ~8:30PM.  Well that's it for now. I'm “on call” again, renewed dirty (from the DC), it's sunny and clear, and after my scrambled eggs/salmon breakfast, I'm ready to go back to killing and maiming!  One thing; the Brits are terrible w/potatoes!  “Chips” (aka, French fries) are fine, but that's about all they serve; even w/breakfast!  But the food overall is fine.  It's very nice at our hotel in Chollerford near Hadrian's Wall.  I better get off this computer.  It's the only one avail. to TVI's here. 

Have a good day!
me


09 May, Wed.

Hello,

Well, here I am, stuck in MAFF, dirty again... Yesterday I attended part of the TVI training for arriving TVI’s.  I did not receive any formal training here, and also wanted to see what type of training they offered.  It was actually a nice program, on PowerPoint; I believe this is the 1st DECC (Disease Emerg. Control Ctr.) to have this presentation.  I sat thru the 1st half where they describe a bit about the history of the outbreak, the role of the TVI (Temp. Vet. Inspector), and clinical signs of disease.  It was interesting to hear now, that although the signs in sheep are not as dramatic as in cows and pigs, the disease is still fairly easy to dx as there should be a very a significant, obvious increase in abortion rate, lameness, lamb mortality, etc.  “Any sudden change in anything, think FMD.”  They’re saying use your clinical judgment and see if everything fits the “big picture”--lesions in mult. sheep, fevers, dramatic increase in one or the above...  It seems that if you find a few lesions and just a few sheep, it’s not FMD.  Truth?  Or just the party-line?  It seems harder and harder to get MAFF to call a positive based on clinical.  They did also mention feral deer, in that they are not worried about them, unless in very high numbers.  If ill (affected), they tend to go away and hide until they feel better, so are not believed to be a real threat to spread the disease.  Hmmmmm.

The problem here is that (I believe) there is no reliable means of confirmation or rule out of true FMD.  MAFF does have TVI’s take samples for serum (AB and virus capture Elisa) and virus isolation, supposedly; but I have not yet heard of any cases confirmed by lab findings.  Overall, it seems the TVI’s (including me) do not trust the lab reports.  So, there’s the rub, eh?  Either we’re dealing w/ a huge political problem, and FMD is still spreading more than the reports; or, if the lab results are, in fact, accurate--and the trainers are correct--we have been grossly overdiagnosing the disease.  A US TVI from CDC (Nord, w/my group) has been suggesting using PCR to accurately dx the cases.  Makes sense to me.  Anyway, there seems to be a fair amount of confusion, frustration, and distrust here among the TVI’s--something we can ill afford to have happen at home. 

The training program they have now involves this part 1, then 1-2 days riding w/experienced TVI’s, then returning for part 2 which covers the paperwork (of which there are loads).  In addition, they have (or should have) periodic meetings w/the other TVI’s to discuss new policies, forms, outbreak update, etc.  That seems ideal, if they’re doing it, because things are continually changing. 

Anyway, I left at 1:30 for a 3:00PM appt. to meet w/a farmer (Mr. Tate) and a valuer before culling his 650sheep.  I had a tire blow out 2 miles from the farm.  I was on a roundabout--aren’t they fun??!!!--and going slowly enough.  I pulled right into a petrol station.  Since it was almost 3, I called the site, and one of the military people came and picked me up.  The military is there to oversee the cull--they line up the slaughter team, equipment, sprayers, etc.  The TVI has to oversee the valuation process and sign that it was done in an open and honest fashion.  We moved some sheep and did the evaluation, and I got back to my hotel at 8:00PM. 

I left at 6:30 this AM to meet them for an 8AM cull; I only made 1-2 wrong turns but made it on time.  We culled 650 sheep/lambs, but only 30-40 were by injection.  (It is forbidden to use the captive bolt on lambs <15kg.)  They also sent a Sr. vet student to assist.  It’s really nice to have a 2nd vet there if the numbers are very large.  The TVI is there to oversee the culling operation to insure it is performed in a safe and humane fashion, which has always been my experience thus far--the cull teams and slaughtermen seem very anxious to do a good job and make sure we’re happy--and to euthanize the small lambs by intracardiac injection.  Then, we are to examine the carcasses for any signs of disease.  (We did not see any here.)  Anyway, with 600 animals, or if there are a lot of lambs, you need at least 2 vets.  They have been using vet students as “lamb killers”; and it’s good experience for them.  And then, there’s the paperwork.  Besides the ubiquitous forms, permits, licenses, postings, there is a 12-page FM1 form which asks everything from who’s been off/on the premise in the last 21 days to what you had for supper last nite—and this morning’s breakfast!!!  (Well, almost...)

We got finished w/everything by 10:30 and headed back to headqtrs.  Claire, the student, and I stopped in the village of Yarn for breakfast.  It is another pretty, quaint, picturesque village w/a clock tower in the middle of town. 

I had to call Avis to get my tire replaced, and I’m waiting for a tire man to come here.  Avis was very prompt in sending someone earlier, except that they did not listen and thought I only needed to have a flat changed.  So, now I’m waiting for a replacement tire.  Did you know that tire repair/damage is the responsibility of the driver, not Avis?  Is that the same at home???  Well, it’s on MAFF’s account....  What’s one tire among the millions they’re spending, eh? 

Well, that’s it for now.  Another nice day; a bit overcast but still very mild.  Let’s see what tomorrow holds for a “dirty” vet...

Hope you are well.  Have a nice day!
me


05/10
HI there,

Whew, this is another long one!  Hope you're not too bored...

Another beautiful day!--Sunny, blue sky, nary a cloud in the sky.  Not much happening today.  There seems to be a lull in the operations.  Allocations did send a number of vets to Epidemiology this AM to help out.  I spoke w/their computer guru, Fletcher, and he reviewed the project.  In the past (and understandably) there was much confusion in the field.  The information coming is was often sketchy, inadequate, and sometimes inaccurate.  TVIs (Temp. Vet. Inspector) were sent out on patrols w/little (if any) training, doing the best they could, and pretty much left to fend for themselves. Sometimes 2 or more TVIs would show up at the same place, sometimes at the same time, with each not knowing about the other.  You can imagine the frustration (owner and TVI) if you showed up to inspect some stock only to find they were all culled 2 weeks ago!  Anyway, the Epi dept. is trying to get a handle on things and get ahead of the curve.  Remember, when an Infected Premise (IP) is identified, there is a 3km protection zone drawn around it.  Once an IP (and contiguous/dangerous contacts) has been culled, the zone is patrolled, and if there are no new cases found w/in 21 days of the culling (actually from the cleaning/disinfecting (C/D)), restrictions are lifted.  But first, all farms in the 3km protection zone must be examined at least once at least 21 days from C/D (ideally mult. times, e.g., at 3,5,7,9,16,23 days). 

Each IP creates a new Protection Zone.  Now there are many areas where protection zones are overlapping, so you may have a fairly lg. area, say12+km across, w/irreg. outline.  All the farms in that (contiguous) protected zone are still on Form D restriction of movement.  If no new cases are found, restrictions may begin to be lifted.  However, the entire area must be free of FMD for at least 21 days, and each and every farm has to have at least one 21-day exam since the last IP, before the area is released.  So, all or nothing.  Obviously, this is now a priority, as there are farms still waiting over 30 days to be released.  (Basically, there is no movement of people, equipment, machinery, animals, etc., w/out a special license, granted from MAFF.)  So, we want to get as many patrols out w/the best info to expedite this process.  Fletcher has created maps of protection zones and lists of jobs (farms/farmers) which may or may no have animals, may or may not have been previously inspected, may or may not have been culled, may or may not have even been served w/Form D, etc., etc. 

The GIS (Geologic Info Service—I think I mentioned them earlier) has maps of all boundaries, buildings, etc.  Individuals have a CPH# (County, Parish, Holding—this is from the olden days when people use to get subsidies from the govt. for various reasons, e.g., property, etc.) , and all jobs for TVIs use the CPH# as a tracking number.  However, today, many farmers may have multiple properties or farms in different areas, all w/the same CPH#.  These properties all show up on the maps, by CPH.  So, say a farmer has a main farm and also owns 4 other properties in the county, or even other counties.  And we know he has 300 cows and 1000 sheep.  On the map, under his CPH, all 5 properties come up.  Now, where are the sheep???  Where do you go to inspect?  And here’s another wrench.  Many land owners may rent their land to other farmers to graze their stock.  You may call “Mr. CPH number X”, who you know owns XYZ farm, and you ask, “Do you own any stock?”  If he says, “No,” great; job done, nothing to report.  But what you need to ask is, “Are there any stock on any of your properties...”, and if so, what type, and owned by whom, etc.  Now we need to track down and contact the owner to examine his stock.  Also, if there are areas on the map that don’t have owners, farmers, etc., or they are not know, you have to send foot patrols out just to see if there are any livestock there. 

Gee, bored yet?  Almost done.  So, from the list of jobs, by CPH, we look on the maps to find all holdings by that CPH, record the map co-ordinates for probable future patrols, then each owner is called to verify all info, incl. last contact by MAFF, animals, movements, still correct info, etc., etc.  Then these jobs are given to the TVIs so they can go out to a farm, where the owner is expecting them, where they are all on the same page, they know why they’re there and what they are to do, and everyone is happy.  No more, “They came out and killed all my sheep 2 months ago!  And now you say you’re here to inspect them? What the !”$%^”$ are you guys at MAFF doing???!!!”

So, that’s one arm of the program.  Again, this is for older protection zones waiting to be released.  The issue w/the patrols w/in the newer control zones, and the dx of disease goes on, and on, and on.  We are working on getting their paperwork up to date.  Farms in the control zone are supposed (that’s the “plan”) to get inspected something like every other day for a week or two, then every 4-5 days, w/a last exam after 21 days.  And, don’t forget tracing contacts: individuals, drivers, deliveries who have had contact w/an IP to try to determine where it (FMD) came from (Source Tracing--1 visit anytime to any contact who was on the IP from -2 to -21 days) and where it may spread to (Spread Tracing--2 visits, at least one @21days since contact to anyone who was on an IP from -2 to +21 days from date IP was called).  Enough?  And finally, there are the culls, which are the new IPs and DCs (Dangerous or contiguous Contacts).  At this time, they are culling all sheep and pigs on DCs; cattle are at the TVI’s discretion; but they are not culling anything else in the 3km protection zones. 

Well, that’s it for where the vets go.  One last comment.  The best acronym I’ve heard so far is “TLAs”--Three-Letter Acronyms. 

I am doing fine.  I’m still dirty, again 72 hours till clean (unless another cull comes up).  The situation here, at least for me, is interesting.  Less than 4 weeks to the election.  (Isn’t it interesting that the PM (Prime Minister, aka, Tony Blair) can call the election basically whenever he wants, but at least w/in 5 years of last election, w/a min. (I think) of one month’s notice.  The one good thing is there is only one month of campaigning!!!)  So, as of this week, it’s official, from the PM, the election will be June7.  It will be interesting to see what happens w/this FMD thing after that. 

me


11 May
Hello! 

Another beautiful day in Newcastle upon Tyne.  It was foggy this AM, creating a beautiful scene of the old rock bridge crossing the river at the hotel.  However, it has cleared and it’s another clear, sunny day! 

AHO--oh boy, another TLA (remember, Three Letter Acronym)--there are a number of Animal Health (and Safety) Officers here at the DECC (Disease Emerg. Control Center).  I spoke w/a few to get an idea of where they fit into the grand (or even small) scheme of things.  The AHOs are usually onsite, during culls and C&D (Cleaning and Disinfecting).  Their main job, at least here/now, is to insure the safety of the operation, people, etc., and insure the C&D is carried out as defined.  Traditionally, AHOs are used for animal reg. issues, animal imports, surveys, check abattoirs, etc.  They are licensed to bleed animals and were used extensively in the swine fever outbreak.  Anyway, I was trying to see where/how our animal technicians could be used here as well as at home in the event of a FAD (Foreign Animal Disease) outbreak.  At this stage of the outbreak (the mopping up stage, supposedly), there is extensive monitoring of animals w/in the 3km Protection Zone, with blood sampling in virtually all flocks they are inspecting now.  Also, I have heard that ultimately, the UK will want to blood test literally all herds/flocks to insure they are, in fact, FMD-free.  This will easily take thru xmas. 

All of the TVI patrols are taking blood samples and examining for disease.  If there are suspect signs, as I understand, it is very difficult to get MAFF to call an IP.  If pushed, they may call an occasional SOS (Slaughter on Susp) and more samples are taken.  If they turn up positive, then the premise becomes an IP and we start all over again.  The point is, there seems very little dx’ic “power” left to the TVI’s (in my opinion).  Anyway, there are a lot of TVIs out there, bleeding, inspecting, and examining stock.  Most patrols find no signs of FMD.  If, say over 90% of the farms show no signs, 8% show questionable lesions, and 2% show susp. lesions (these are totally my, made-up numbers; but >15 patrols are going out daily, many w/2 per day, and we have had only ~3 IPs turn up this week, and one for sure was a Dangerous Contact), wouldn't it make more sense to send experienced, trained AHOs to inspect, exam, and collect blood?  Have TVI’s available to respond if an AHO finds something, anything, unusual.  Of course this would only be feasible after the incidence has fallen significantly.  And, after the outbreak has been contained, it seems extremely wasteful to send TVIs to inspect/bleed unaffected herds just for surveillance, when AHOs could do the job just as effectively and at less expense--hire one TVI and 20 AHOs instead of 10 TVIs!!! 

Anyway, it seems there is a real niche for trained animal technicians in this process.  Now, whether MAFF or TB (Tony Blair) agree, we’ll have to see...

FYI, back to C&D, all cull sights receive a preliminary C&D w/in 24 hours of cull.  They are sprayed using FAM, Vercon, or citric acid, depending on the situation, surface, etc.  There has been a lot of grain sprayed (and rendered un-saleable) by citric acid, some of which had been stored in barns or silos.  I think the C&D teams are using a bit more discretion now.  After the preliminary there is a secondary C&D where there is actual mucking out of barns, etc., and cleaning of all contact surfaces followed by a disinfectant spraying.  Farmers may elect to do the C&D themselves and will be paid £15/hr, plus all expenses (utilities, water, etc.) and supplies.  AHOs are supposed to inspect these sights. 

An interesting note is, that on a SOS, MAFF is only performing the preliminary C&D and no secondary.  (Remember, SOS=Slaughter on Susp., and take samples; these are the ones the TVIs feel suspect, but MAFF will not allow to be called COC (Cull on Clinical). Remember an SOS is NOT an IP, however it will become an IP if the samples come back positive.  COCs are by definition an IP.  Get it?)  Anyway, we (AHOs and I) felt that if they were only SOS, they should still get a secondary C&D. 

One more thing on the GIS (Geol. Info Serv).  As I mentioned before, farmers are subsidized--a lot it seems--for animals, crops, land use (arable, grazing, crops), or more precisely, for NOT growing; they even have Extenisifacation payments for decreasing the number of stock grown per acre.  So, almost all farmers put in their data and claims once a year, on May 15 for all land holdings/use, so most all land is registered.  These figures are collected by IACS, Integrated Administration Control System.  I think this data is overlaid w/the maps in GIS.  This is how they produce the detailed maps I mentioned before.  I say almost all farmers register, because often very small farmers w/small lots/number of animals don’t.  This creates the “holes” in the GIS maps; but there still may be animals present.  So, Epi will send foot patrols to those areas w/out data to see if any animals are there, then they can set up a patrol visit.  Do we have such a system?  I can see the tracking of animals in the US will be a monumental chore!

Well, that’s it for now.  I don’t know how much more I’ll be able to report, but will as the info and time allow.  Hope all is well.  Keep in touch,
Terry


13 May, Sunday
Another beautiful, clear, sunny day; one might think one was in San Diego—one might…

Still pretty quiet at Kenton Bar (that’s where I am in Newcastle; there is also anther facility down the road for the “clean-clean” vets called Long Benton—don’t ask me why!); another load of 6 vets from the states arrived Fri; they’re finishing training today (half day of training, ride w/an experienced TVI for a day, then another day of training).  I hope they’ll stay busy.

Went to a nightclub in Newcastle last nite w/Lorna and Fritz—the “Tuxedo something”, an old boat, moored on the river.  It cost £5 to get in and there are about 8 “lounges” w/different themes from hot disco, loud rock&roll to champagne to piano, etc.  It is an old boat, and a “filthy , gross, mess” as Lorna called it.  But, it was hopping—lots of young people, decked out for a nite on the town.  No dance floor we could see, just a lot of folks sitting around, loud music, drinking, smoking.  We met a group of ladies from Liverpool who brought their friend for her last fling before getting married next week.  They said Newcastle has the hottest nite life outside of London!  (Oh boy!) 

Back to FMD, an interesting note, on the handling of carcasses.  The old policy was that on all IPs, the carcasses were burned or buried on the premise.  And that’s what we were doing in Scotland.  Apparently, the policy has changed, and ALL carcasses are being hauled to a common burial site—that includes the IPs which supposedly have the disease. 

Another little monster is raising its ugly, little head out of the SOS policy.  Remember, they used to merely confirm Dx on clinical signs (COC), call it FMD and slaughter.  Now, COCs are rarely called, and everything is either negative (no FMD) or SOS (slaughter on suspicion)—COC or SOS, the stock are still culled, either way.  The difference is, on SOSs, blood samples are taken, and the case will or will not become an IP pending lab results.  Well, now the news is reporting that at least 33% of the culled farms were NOT infected w/FMD (per lab results, per the news).  Of course, they don’t have and/or give the entire picture, but that’s not the point.  Anyway, so imagine the “ammunition” those farmers now have for suing MAFF for wrongfully killing their stock.  And it’s starting to happen.  And besides the suits, there is more support/reason for a farmer to stop pre-emptive culling because he is convinced his flock is healthy.  So the plot thickens…

About vaccs.  As I understand the situation, the decision on whether or not to use the FMD vaccination is very controversial, both clinically and politically.  Many nations want to maintain a FMD-free status for global marketing; using FMD vacc compromises that status and, thus, their ability to trade internationally.  Clinically, there seems to be a question of the efficacy of the vacc and it’s value in the face of an outbreak.  Finally, there may be some concern that FMD vaccinates may shed virus and actually cause a new outbreak.  So, as  you can see, as in most things in life, it is not a simple question. 

Well, hope all is well and I’ll stay clean!
tp


15 May, Tuesday
Monday I took the day off and went north from Newcastle along the coastal route w/Drs. Lorna (driver—ohhhh what a driver!); Fritz (tour guide, "Here we are at Workworth Castle, you have 3.5minutes, then off to Sea Houses; let’s go!”); and Mike (Iowa State) and me—the “tourists”! 

We sort of went up the route I took home from Bamburgh castle last week, but took a bit more time, or at least stopped more often.  It was very nice, weather-wise—cool and overcast, but no rain.  We drove up to Workworth Castle, stopped but did not go in; then Sea Houses, where there’s a little marina.  There was a group of scuba divers returning from a boat trip to the nearby islands where they saw sea lions, and not much else.  The N. Sea looks cold!—and they all wore dry suits.  I never would have imagined the N. Sea as a popular dive spot, but there were a few dive boats for hire. 

Then up to the biggie, Bamburgh Castle.  It is pretty stunning to see when driving up the coast.  We did go inside (£4.50),and it was OK.  Like I once said a long time ago, some people like to look in the inside, I like to look at the outside.  This castle is privately owned (as many are, apparently) and tours help pay the bills.  But it was nice.  Then onward to Holy Island, where some guy (a Saint) who brought Christianity to northern Britain lived.  Good for him! There is a small castle on a hill there as well, but we didn’t go in (damn cheapskates!—just joking).  What’s very interesting about Holy Island, is that for most of every day it is NOT an island!  The road from the highway crosses a causeway, and once a day, for up to 5-6 hours, the tide comes in and covers that road—as high as 6 feet!  Amazing.  When the tide is in, no one can enter or leave the island, and I hear the local pubs stay open until the road clears, whenever that is.  The tides vary (duh!), and so the road may be closed  during the day or nite.  Pretty cool.  And, it is a nice village.  We had a quick lunch—vegetable soup; cute, little crab sandwich, and tea, for £5—then back on the M1 south to Alnwyck (pronounce “an-ick”—those Brits again; go figure!).  We stopped at the bridge w/the lion w/the straight out tail and took some pix of Lorna and Fritz (we’ll have to get copies of those!) and then on to the castle.  It was closing time (~6), not that we would have gone in anyway (cheap bastards!) , stopped in the village and looked around, and then on To Hadrian's Wall—after all we still had 3 hours of daylight!!!  (The castles here are not what I would call “real” castles, like in Germany, but they’re nice—for the English.  However, everyone says the one in Edinburgh is a must see.  We’ll see….) 

So, an hour later we’re looking at the great Roman wall—a pile of rocks and rubble; but then it is 2000 years old, so they say!  Of course, you can’t walk onto these sights cuz all the trails are closed due to FMD!  And what’s with this Roman mile?  “The wall is 82 Roman miles long—82 statute miles...”; what’s that about?  Why do they have to keep changing everything?  And don’t get me started on nautical miles!!!—and goes from coast to coast.  Something about protecting Britain from those marauding Scots! 

Anyway, then we on the way back we found (well, we think we did) Bobby Waugh’s place.  He’s the swill-feeding pig-farming bloke who started all this FMD outbreak to begin with (so they say)!  “Hey Bobby!  We found your place!  Cook your swill, you lazy bastard!”  Then back (passing my hotel) toward (they’re) home (the lazy bastards), a nice Italian dinner (quite nice, actually) and then BACK to MY home, and to bed.

Today, it was overcast and a bit drizzly.  I actually got a job today.  I took a newcomer from Canada, byway of Glasgow vet school and then 6 months in New Zealand—oh these kids today!—and went out past Durham to a check ~50 cattle, 350 sheep, and bleed/examine 60 sheep.  It went well, and as usual, from all the reports so far, the farmers are just wonderful, friendly, conscientious people! 

No political news today (I think we're about done w/all that!), but it was curious on this call that on talking w/this farmer, his land adjoins what looks like 2 IPs, and although they were over 30 days ago, he was never culled!  We were there on the “21-day” sampling to lift the Form D on the Surveillance zone.  I say “21-day” because it has been over a month and this has been his first visit!  And as far as the IPs go, it’s hard to figure.  I’ll ask around, but don’t expect any real, reasonable explanation.  Anyway, we got back to the DECC, got the blood samples in, finished the paperwork, and now I’m waiting to meet up w/some of the original gang as Fritz is leaving tomorrow, a week early. 

So, that’s it for now.  I’ll be here thru the weekend, then we (the 3 of us from Scotland) are going back to Scotland on Monday (Dumfries), check in there, drop off our equipment, then back to Ayr Tues. nite, then back to London on Wed.  The gang leaves on Friday, but I’ll be staying an extra 2 weeks—for decon.  After all, I surely don’t want to bring FMD back to the States; so it’s only esp. conscientious of me to take the extra precaution and hang out for awhile, don’t you think? 

All else is fine here.  Have a good one!
tp


05/17
HI there,

It's almost 5pm here, 9am there.  Hope all is well.  I had a good day; left at 7AM for an 8AM appt. south, got lost, but made it by 8:30.  I had two jobs: both were licenses.  If one is in a surveillance zone, you have to get a license from MAFF to move any stock.  This job was to move 350 weaner pigs to another yard for fattening.  Then I had a 1PM appt w/ a farmer who wanted to move 30 ewes/lambs to another field for grazing.  Fun, eh?  It's easy work though.  It was a nice day; sl. overcast, a bit drizzly this afternoon; but still, beautiful, green countryside. 

I'm at the library in Newcastle now, as the computer at the DECC gets soooo busy.  But I have to get back soon to turn in the paper work, check in, etc. 

I'm doing fine.  I hope you are too.  My tour here is about done.  Hope we don't have to deal w/this or any other FAD at home.  Have a good day. 
me


18 May, Fri

Hello!
Another beautiful, clear, sunny day.  Well, looks like time for at least one more report.  Remember I told you how Epidemiology was producing maps of all the properties around IPs and filling in all the blanks w/owner info?  Well, of course there are some holes in the maps: areas w/old info or inaccurate info, no info of animals, etc.  Well, they have set up foot patrols to go out and visually inspect these sites to see what’s happening.  Each patrol is given jobs consisting of a map, map coordinates, marked fields.  Your job, should you accept the allocation to Foot Patrols, is to go out, find the site, and see, in fact if the fields have any stock, and if so, which type (S=sheep, C=cattle, H=horse); and if not what is the land used for (A=arable, G=grass).  You then will mark the appropriate letter in the appropriate field, bring the map back to the DECC and then color in the map w/the appropriate color (green=grass, yellow=arable, green=horse…)  There may be a bit more info requested, e.g., if there is stock, try to find out (from neighbors, townsfolk, etc.) who the owner might be. 

The interesting thing is, they are using TVIs, two per team, to do this difficult and mentally taxing work.  I’m so glad they are utilizing our training and education to it’s fullest!  Why they don’t use their AHOs (Animal Health Officers) to do this is beyond me.  That’s what I heard they were planning on doing last week; but this is another week. 

So, I went out w/Dr. Justine Moses, another Aussie vet.  It was a nice drive thru the countryside (often the field in question may be surrounded by other fields), and in fact, having 2 people is nice for navigation purposes.  But, as I said, it was a very nice day, and the countryside is beautiful, and the weather was great!  Tomorrow, we’ll be back in at 0800 to start another day. 

We did have an interesting conversation w/Charles Moir (one of three Div. Vet. Mgrs. here) the other day.  We brought up some questions about sample handling, now that they’re collecting so many blood samples.  They say their lab (Pirbright) says the virus is not heat labile, and refrigeration is not that important.  We mentioned how a couple from my group (one from CDC and another from FDA) both expressed some concerns.  He said he’d check, but I learned a new TLA today—NIH, which (in addition) means: “Not Invented Here!”  I think we all have that mentality, to a degree, but it does remind one to try to keep one’s eyes open, eh? 

Well, I hope all is well.  I’ll try to write again before leaving Scotland next week.  Dr. Lanman went to the Carlisle DECC to see what they’re doing.  Have a good one! 
tp


Sat., 19 May

Hello,
It’s ~4PM, Sat.  I did another day of foot patrols (even though most of it is done from the car!).  I was trainer (vs. trainee) today.  Went w/another Aussie, newly here (2nd day); and who better than me to lead the innocent.  We had a good time, and I learned quite a bit from him.  Anyway, not much to report. We went south again, looked at 7 sites, saw more nice scenery and headed back.  It got a bit overcast and cool, but still very pleasant.  Another day there again tomorrow, then we’re out of here!  (Well, out of Newcastle anyway, but back to Dumfries, Scotland). 

There are a number of Aussie vets here; actually a lot of foreign govt. vets here: US=20; Aussie=8; French=2;Hungary=9, Kiwis=6.  And that’s just at Newcastle, plus the UK vets, plus all the other vets from other countries who have come on their own.  I believe there are ~150 TVIs at this DECC. 

Here’s a thought: if there are say 100 TVIs at each of 10 DECCs, incl. hotel, laundry, car rental, cellular, per diem, comes to over £15 million (or almost $23M) per month!—just for the TVIs!  And then add all the directors, support staff, supplies, admin; then the cost of the reimbursement to the farmers, well it does boggle the mind. 

Here’s some more interesting stuff; as of yesterday, there have been almost 3,000,000 animals slaughtered; then there’s the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme with another 900,000 animals slaughtered for welfare reasons, e.g., can’t get feed to them or get them turned out to pastures from barns due to FMD restrictions.  And imagine the problems associated w/disposal of 4M carcasses! 

Now, here’s a couple of interesting perspectives.  First, the total animals lost are ~3% of the total sheep population and less than 1% of the total cattle population of the UK.  Now, that doesn’t sound so bad does it?  In a major contagious disease outbreak, losing 5% of your population is bad, but it’s really not that bad…  And even more interesting (at least for me) is that agriculture, overall, is less than 2% of UK’s GNP!  FYI, agriculture is ~13% of US’s GNP.  (Of course I didn’t know that; did you?  Figures, it took a Brit to tell me that!  More on some other time.)  So, as tragic as this all sounds, and is, when you look at it from this perspective well, it doesn’t seem quite so bad.  Once again, the “big picture”, compliments of me, the “Truth Seeker”. 

As I said, one more day here, then back to Scotland.  I don't know that I'll have anything more to report, so you may not be hearing much from me for a while.  But if I do, and can, I'll check in before leaving London next week.  Have a good one everybody!
tp


22 May
Hello all!

Well, I'm back in Dumfries, Scotland.  We had breakfast at our hotel near Hexam and the 3 of us left for Dumfries, via various routes; I came by way of Penrith, then along Ullswater Lake, a very nice, long lake in the Cumbria Mountain Lake District of NW England.  I drove over the a 1700' pass, and there was snow (albeit just a little) on the N. face!!!  How 'bout that?!!!  But then we are pretty far north; ~55degrees latitude, the US Canadian border is ~47degrees.  Anyway, it was a nice, beautiful drive.  Then up thru Carlisle, into Scotland, Lockerbie (sp?--you know, where the plane crashed), then on to Dumfries.  We'll spend the nite here; we all have to turn in our "kits" (supplies), including GPS units and mobile phones. 

Here, on the radio, I've been hearing all this talk on how so many people have NOT yet rec'd checks from MAFF, from farmers who lost their stock to TVI's hired directly by MAFF.  Anyway, lots of problems still. 

ttys,
tp


From Lorna Lanman:

On Wed, 23-May, I drove from Ayr to Prestwick a/p, turned in the car, and flew to Stansted, London.  When we arrived in London, there was no taxi waiting to pick us up.  Called MAFF, Page St, they said one was supposed to be there, but since it wasn’t, we hired a taxi to the Swallow Int’l Hotel (£ 80!) 

Thursday we had a debriefing at 0900 (including a psych session on how to combat depression…) and an orientation w/the arriving vets, just as we had on our arrival.  Interesting, the advice we gave was the same as what we received, , “Drive left, look right!”

Friday was departure day for our group, I stayed for an extended decontamination, as I am so diligent in protecting our good ol’ USA from the dreaded FMD.  (I’m sure you’re tired, if not totally bored; I’ll tell you about my extended stay at a later time.)

It was a very valuable an interesting experience.  The countryside is beautiful, the cultures are quite different. 

I think Mark Twain summed it quite nicely.  Asked the difference between the Englishman and the American, he gave this answer: An Englishman is a person who does things because they have been done before.  An American is a person who does things because they haven’t been done before. 

Well, that’s about it.  Please feel free to share this with your friends or contact me if you have any questions or comments. 

Have a great day!

Terry