Slaughterman being tested for foot-and-mouth

A slaughterman is suspected of having contracted foot-and-mouth disease.

The unnamed man from Cumbria is presently undergoing tests to establish if he has the disease, the British Department of Health said.

The area where the man is from has not been disclosed.

Although rare, it is possible for humans to contract the disease.

Britain's National Farmer's Union said in a statement: "It's always been accepted that there's a small risk that humans could contract a mild form of foot-and-mouth if they are in prolonged personal contact with animals infected with this disease.

"We are very concerned to hear about this case. We will continue to work with Government vets and scientists to eradicate this disease."

A British Department of Health spokesman said: "There are urgent tests being carried out for the illness which is a mild illness in humans with flu-like symptoms and blisters on the hand and in the mouth.

"There are no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission of the disease."