Farms suspected of having the virus were quarantined. Television images of slaughtered animals and smoking pyres scared many foreign tourists off, and some domestic travelers have also avoided rural areas, where many country footpaths are still closed. The outbreak prompted Prime Minister Tony Blair to forgo his preferred date for national elections. Local elections were scheduled for May 3 and it was thought to be Blair's choice for the national vote as well, but farmers, some bishops and opposition politicians said it would be unseemly to appear focused on politics during a rural crisis. The national election, which Blair is widely favored to win, and the local elections are now scheduled for June 7.
Humans can carry the virus on their clothes and spread infection.
Today in History On this day in 2000, Parliament stopped as leaders paid tribute to Pierre Trudeau one day after the former prime minister's death. Tell us what you think.