"Strong probability" UK labs source of disease strain

LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) A preliminary report by British government inspectors into an outbreak of foot and mouth disease has found a ''strong probability'' that the virus's strain originated from two nearby research laboratories.

The report, by the government's Health and Safety Executive, did not point the finger at either of the animal health labs at the site -- one goverment-run, the other privately owned by a US-French firm -- but said they were probably the source.

''Subject to the ongoing work detailed above, the indications are that there is a strong probability that the (foot and mouth disease virus) strain involved in the farm outbreak originated from the IAH or the Merial sites,'' the report said.

Reuters AE VP0008