Foot-and-mouth left bitter legacy

Originally from: lina
                        
Foot-and-mouth left bitter legacy
Source: FWi 23 October 2003

By Nigel Burnham

A NEW study into the health and social consequences of
the foot-and-mouth crisis in Cumbria reveals that the
county's farmers remain bitter and afraid.

Researchers from Lancaster University analysed the
observations of a panel of 54 people closely involved
in the crisis to assess the impact of the epidemic.

Panel members ranged from farmers and slaughtermen to
community nurses, vets and businessmen and women

What reseachers found was a picture of isolated and
embattled communities in which some people took to
drink and anti-depressants in order to cope.

Community nurse Teresa Taylor described how routine
visits to residents often became counselling sessions
lasting hours.

Some patients were isolated from their families,
unable to sleep and turning to drink, she said.

Other panel members spoke of "bitterness,
frustration, mistrust and anxiety" during and after
the epidemic and of feeling let down by the
government’s response.

This feeling was exacerbated by government "spin"
which denied the reality of Cumbria's nightmare and
left people feeling betrayed.

Dr Peter Tiplady, retired director of public health at
North Cumbria Health Authority, said that the study
showed that the F&M crisis had "a definite effect on
human health".

Figures emerging from separate research showed an
increased mortality rate in Cumbria around Easter 2001
– the peak of the outbreak, he revealed.

The Lancaster University report is due to be completed
in April next year when it will be sent to the
Department of the Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Copies will also be sent to the Department of Health,
the Department of Trade and Industry and the