DATE=03/05/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / HOOF AND MOUTH (L-only)

NUMBER=2-273311

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Officials in Britain say they have recorded more than 70 cases of hoof-and-mouth disease in the past two weeks, and some are calling the outbreak an epidemic. There are fears the virus may spread from an infected farm in southwestern England to a wildlife preserve. Our London correspondent, Laurie Kassman, brings us up to date.

TEXT: The outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease at a farm in the southwest has authorities concerned that a nearby wildlife preserve could be infected, too. That could mean the possible destruction of tens of thousands of animals there. Farm-union officials say that is the worst-case scenario.

At the same time, officials are letting a limited number of farmers take their animals to the nearest slaughterhouse, to ease a meat shortage in British shops. The animals are being selected from areas that so far have not been infected by the highly-contagious virus.

Supermarkets also have started to import meat products from abroad to fill the gap.

Muslims in Britain are upset because the shortages could interfere with the tradition of slaughtering sheep to mark the end of the hajj, or holy pilgrimage to Mecca, which concludes this week.

Even though hoof-and-mouth is not a health danger to humans, purchases of chicken and fish, which are not affected by the disease, have soared.

So far, authorities officials say the widespread infection can be traced back to a single farm in northern England, which had been reported several times for unsanitary conditions. Neighbors accuse government inspectors of ignoring the warning signs.

Britain's European neighbors have taken drastic measures to keep possibly tainted animals and meat products from their markets. Suspected cases of the virus already have been reported in France, Belgium and Denmark.

British animals and meat products have been banned from markets in continental Europe, and all vehicles arriving from Britain are being disinfected. Norway has even asked 300 British soldiers not to participate in multinational military exercises this week.

Hoof-and-mouth is highly contagious among farm animals. Wind or birds can carry the disease for hundreds of kilometers from a source of infection, and the virus also can be carried on clothing, tools or vehicles. (Signed)

NEB/LMK/KL/WTW