US braces itself for foot and mouth

The US is bracing itself for an outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

Federal emergency officials have been meeting to review plans for dealing with an outbreak, which is considered highly likely.

About 75 federal officials from agencies such as the Agriculture Department and the CIA are understood to have met.

The group also included officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Army's biological warfare office, the Coast Guard, the Interior Department and the Food and Drug Administration.