This comes ahead of findings expected later this week into the risks to humans from potentially carcinogenic dioxins released from animal pyres. The contractor had been helping with the slaughtering and disposal of animals in Cumbria.
Experts say the illness is only mild in humans.
Dr Peter Tiplady, of North Cumbria Health Authority, said the man developed symptoms, including ulcers in the mouth and sore itchy hands, two weeks after he was accidentally sprayed with some material from a cow. It is not a very serious illness. Scientific advice is that it is highly improbable for the virus to pass from animals into the human population, so the general population is not at risk. The only previous human case in the UK was in 1966, when a single patient suffered no long-lasting effects to his health. Meanwhile there are growing concerns about pollutants being given off from the burning pyres.