Fears second FMD case may be confirmed

The Republic waits today for the results of tests on a sheep blood sample that could confirm the country’s second case of foot-and-mouth.

Tests on material taken from a farm in Co Louth - scene of the Republic’s first outbreak of the disease in more than 60 years just a week ago - were being carried out by experts in laboratories in Pirbright, Surrey.

The results were expected to be flashed to concerned Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh this morning.

But all the signs last night were that senior government officials feared the worst.

The latest suspect sheep was found on a farm owned by Tony Keenan, a relative and neighbour of Michael Rice, whose farm produced the first detected virus.

Since last week, the borderside co of Louth has been virtually sealed off from the rest of the country as the authorities battle to restrict the disease to that part of the Republic.

To minimise the consequences for our largely agriculture-dominated economy, the Government has succeeded in getting an overseas sales ban imposed only in Louth, and roads leading to the area have been manned on a round-the-clock basis to prevent unauthorised entry.

Checks have also been made at a number of farms in other parts of the country.

Yesterday negative outcomes were reported after preliminary Pirbright analyses of samples from sheep in Co Wexford, Co Waterford and Co Laois.

Bertie Ahern told the Dail that the clinical signs on the samples taken from the Louth sheep were strong, though different to those on the animals that tested positive last week.

He reported that if the latest case was confirmed, an extension of the region’s control zone would not be necessary as it as in the same area as the first outbreak.

Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh said he was relieved to hear of the negative results received so far but added: ‘‘We have to stay on a high state of alert.’’

All of the sheep on Mr Keenan’s farm were slaughtered and buried in a specially prepared pit on his land today.

In another move locally, Army marksmen moved into the Cooley mountains beside both the Rice and Keenan farms today to shoot goats that roam the hills and can carry foot-and-mouth.

The animals were pinpointed by an Air Corps helicopter, acting as a spotter plane.

Meanwhile, the annual Rose of Tralee beauty and personality contest - an event shown internationally on TV each August - tonight emerged as a potential victim of the crisis.

The 43-year-old festival’s chief executive, Noreen Cassidy, reported receiving at least 20 calls a day from Americans, who normally attend in force, under the impression that foot-and-mouth could be contracted by humans.

"One caller thinks we are all wearing masks here. People have seen images of burning animals in Britain and think it is the same in this country.’’

She said efforts were being made to bring high-profile Americans and journalists to Ireland to show them the true picture.