England ? Authorities confirmed a new foot-and-mouth outbreak on the outskirts of London on Wednesday, just days after the government lifted livestock restrictions following the appearance of the devastating disease last month.

The highly contagious disease was found in cattle grazing in Surrey, a county that borders London, and close to a laboratory that was linked to the August outbreak. The discovery created panic in farming communities that lost millions last month.

“I’m really worried because I’ve got loads of pigs, a few cattle and horses, and we were getting the pigs ready for slaughter tomorrow,” said Andrew Parsons, a Surrey farmer.

The government imposed a nationwide ban on all livestock movement, while scientists tried to identify the strain and origin of the disease. Authorities also ordered the slaughter of about 300 cattle and pigs in the affected area, said Britain’s chief veterinary officer, Debby Reynolds.