Dutch report fourth case of foot-and-mouth

A fourth case of foot-and-mouth was discovered in the northeastern Dutch province of Gelderland today, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Some 2,000 calves on a farm in Nijbroek, just a few miles from three other infected areas, were to be destroyed. More than 20,000 animals have already been cleared from farms across the country.

Four other suspect sites, including farms in the south of the country, held animals which showed symptoms of the illness. Test results were expected there early next week.

Health officials imposed blockades restricting movement in a 16-mile radius around the areas while a national ban on transports of fodder and milk were eased.

Dutch officials said Friday they suspect there may be more than one source of the Dutch outbreak which, started Wednesday.

The European Union has given the Netherlands permission to vaccinate in selective sites to help prevent the sickness from spreading.