Livestock Virus Confirmed in Scotland

Britain and Ireland struggled Thursday to contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, and the first cases in Scotland were confirmed at farms near Lockerbie.

With the spread of the livestock virus to Northern Ireland confirmed, fears mounted in the neighboring Irish Republic. Irish trainers were set to pull their horses out of a prestigious race, the Cheltenham Festival in England. The meet, set for March 13-15, could be called off.

Britain’s biggest dog show, Crufts, has been postponed because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, organizers said. The Forestry Commission said it was closing all forests.

Meanwhile, continental Europe took more steps to prevent the spread of the virulent ailment, which affects cloven-footed animals and causes weight loss and reduced dairy production. So far, no case has been confirmed on the Continent.

Belgium on Thursday began destroying sheep and goats imported from Britain since Feb. 1, as well as domestic livestock that may have come into contact with them.

Portugal ordered all people traveling from Britain to disinfect their shoes on arrival. Spain banned livestock fairs and restricted transport of animals, while the Netherlands ordered the closure of zoos.

Cattle on the farms where Scotland’s first cases were confirmed will be slaughtered, authorities said.