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Suspected human case of foot-and-mouth
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A SUSPECTED case of the human form of foot-and-mouth disease is being investigated in northern England.
Found in Cumbria, a centre of the foot-and-mouth epidemic sweeping Britain, the suspected case was a man who had been slaughtering farm animals infected with the disease.
It has not been confirmed by authorities and another 48 hours would be required for the results of blood tests to return.
"We have been notified of a suspected case of foot and mouth. Foot-and-mouth in humans is very rare but it can occur. This case is being investigated urgently,'' the Department of Health said.
If confirmed, the case would be only the second ever recorded in this country, although experts say the illness is only mild in humans, and that no cases of human-to-human transmission have everbeen recorded.
Dr Peter Tiplady, of North Cumbria Health Authority, said: "The man was accidentally sprayed with some material from a cow, and two weeks later developed symptoms similar to that in the animals -- ulcers in the mouth and sore, itchy hands. It is not a very serious illness."
Environment Minister Michael Meacher said: ``This would be extremely unlikely but it is apparently possible. We have to wait until we get a full assessment from the department of health.''
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