Foot and Mouth Confirmed in Ireland

The first case of foot and mouth disease in Ireland was confirmed today, that country joining France and Holland with one confirmed case each. To date, there have been 453 cases confirmed in Britain.

The disease was confirmed in the Irish Republic at Jenkinstown, close to the Co Louth border with Northern Ireland. The Irish government had previously banned horses from travelling to Britain in hopes of keeping the disease from entering Ireland.
About 40 news cases were reported in the United Kingdom on Wednesday.

The Guardian reported that the first apparently healthy animals were to be destroyed. There already have been over 420,000 infected animals destroyed. The paper reported 1,300 animals were taken to be destroyed based on the fact they were within two miles of an infected farm. The farm was located at Dornock, near Annan, Dumfries, and Galloway.

The Dutch government has decided to vaccinate thousands of animals in an attempt to keep the disease from spreading. Other European Union countries have discussed the vaccination option, but rejected it. The Guardian reports an emergency meeting of the EU's veterinary committee will be held on Friday.

In Holland, approximately 17,000 animals in the closest proximity to the outbreak will be destroyed. Animals in the next outlying zone will be vaccinated, then once the disease is under control, will also be destroyed. Senior British veterinarians who believe the policy of killing infected animals will not control the spread of the disease are asking for the same vaccination process to be used in England.