Voa Agriculture Report - Foot-and-Mouth Disease in England May Be Under Control

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is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

Farmers in have been worried about foot-and-mouth disease among their cows. viral sickness is one of the worlds most destructive of livestock. Foot-and-mouth disease does not usually kill animals. it sickens them and severely reduces production of meat milk, resulting in economic disaster.

The current cases of disease first struck cattle in southern England. At the of July, a farmer in Surrey noted that two his cows were sick. He reported the news to health officials. They passed it on to the World for Animal Health.

Agricultural scientists confirmed the cases of the disease in two animals. The first of one hundred twenty cows was killed August third. that time, the government banned export of all livestock, meat and milk products. The ban is expected to in place until August twenty-fifth-.

About one cattle were killed from a second infected herd on farm about three kilometers from the first. A third of cows was killed last week. Almost six hundred have been destroyed so far to prevent the spread the disease.

Tests of cows on two other in Surrey showed no presence of the highly infectious . So experts say the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease could over by the end of the week if no cases are found. However, they urged farmers to continue check their cattle for signs of the disease.

British health investigators believe there is a strong possibility outbreak started in a research center close to the . The center has two laboratories that use the virus research and to make vaccines. One of the laboratories the claim. It said there is no evidence the was transported out of the laboratory by people.

In thousand one, foot-and-mouth disease cost the British agricultural and industries billions of dollars. More than six million animals killed. The crisis delayed a general election for a , canceled many sports events and closed the countryside to .

The disease affects animals such as , pigs, goats and sheep. It spreads easily through direct among animals. It is also spread by people on and shoes.

And that's the VOA English Agriculture Report, written by Jerilyn Watson. I'm Faith Lapidus.

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