Disease alert on fish farm

SCIENTISTS are trying to find the source of a suspected case of a fish disease - equivalent to foot-and-mouth in cattle - which has been reported on a Scottish fish farm. Until now Britain has been free of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, which does not affect humans.

All movements of fish from the area on the island of Gigha have been banned. If the disease is confirmed, all the stock will be destroyed and the site disinfected. The Scottish Office said turbot, salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout were among the species susceptible.