The foot and mouth outbreak in Britain is growing rather than diminishing, with officials acknowledging that the epidemic will not be controlled quickly. Visits to the countryside are still discouraged, and tourism numbers are down 75 percent in rural areas, a big blow to the local economies. In Northern Ireland, another suspected case has been discovered in County Tyrone, and would be the second on the island if confirmed. All vehicles crossing the border into the Republic of Ireland must be disinfected, causing delays. Dozens of events have been canceled around Ireland. In northwestern France, officials slaughtered six cows showing symptoms of the disease in the Loire region. If tests are positive, these would be the first confirmed cases in continental Europe. The disease is not harmful to humans, but is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals, and is easily spread.
