010333 Britain: End to Foot-And-Mouth Way Off

London - The British government said on Thursday that a virulent foot-and- mouth outbreak was set to last a long time and the number of infected sites topped 100.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown told parliament there were 104 definite cases across the country as eight new infected sites came to light.

A number of others are also under investigation.

Britain's chief veterinary officer said there was no light at the end of the tunnel yet.

“We are not going to see the disease disappear at the end of this week,” Jim Scudamore said. “This outbreak is going to last for a long time but I can't tell you for how long.”

Officials are struggling to contain the disease through mass livestock slaughter and incineration. A total of 61,000 animals have already been slain with 28,000 more earmarked for slaughter.

Much of the British countryside is effectively in quarantine and sporting fixtures have been canceled due to the disease, which can even be spread on the wind or people's clothes.

Tourists are being disinfected when traveling abroad and British meat is once again off the world's menus.

Brown took comfort from the fact his officials still thought the disease could be sourced to one outbreak in north-east England. “Each and every one of these cases has been traced back or is being traced back to the original outbreak,” he said.

A second major source of the disease would make it much harder for the outbreak to be contained and eradicated.

SPORTS EVENTS OFF, ELECTION TOO?

Ireland has postponed its international rugby union clashes with England and Scotland as part of a concerted effort to ensure it remains free of the highly contagious disease.

One of Britain's top horse racing events, the Cheltenham Festival which Irish people attend in their thousands, has also been put on hold.

Some political experts have said Prime Minister Tony Blair's widely anticipated plan to cash in on gaping opinion poll leads by calling an election in May could be threatened if much of the country remains out of bounds.

But ministers and officials have insisted there are no plans to change election dates. If Blair delayed until the autumn the economy could have turned downwards, hitting his poll ratings.

The British meat industry estimates the self-imposed export ban is costing it eight million pounds ($12 million) a week in lost sales. Livestock has started to move around Britain again under a strict licensing scheme despite the outbreak.

But for consumers the news was less gloomy.

Wholesale lamb and pork prices trading on London's Smithfield market have fallen sharply on import volumes triggered by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

“Traders imported too much lamb and pork because of expected shortages due to the foot-and-mouth crisis and now they can't sell it,” said a market source, adding that prices could fall even more next week.

Foot-and-mouth causes blisters on the hooves and mouths of sheep, pigs, cattle and goats, followed by severe weight loss but rarely death. It has little or no effect on humans.

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