October 1, 2007

UK confirms 8th case of foot-and-mouth-disease in England

British authorities on Sunday (September 30) confirmed the eighth case of foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious virus whose recent appearance has rattled the country's farming industry.

The outbreak was confirmed at the same farm where the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said Saturday it was slaughtering cows suspected of carrying the disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals including cows, sheep and pigs.

Foot-and-mouth doesn't normally affect humans, although its economic effects can potentially be devastating.

The disease was detected within a special restricted zone that surrounds a laboratory complex in Pirbright, about 35 miles (55 kilometres) southwest of London, which has been blamed for leaking the virus into the environment. All the previous confirmed cases of the virus have so far been limited to that area, although authorities have warned farmers across the country to remain vigilant.