Farmers and vets are worried that hundreds of infected sheep will be found in the Border hills as the snow thaws. The concerns came as two Scottish councils took steps to stop the disease spreading to their areas. Local authorities in the Highlands and Argyll and Bute are setting up disinfectant roadblocks on trunk roads - despite some opposition to the move. Eight Scottish cases have been confirmed Eight cases of the disease have now been confirmed north of the border, and tests results are awaited at other premises. Farmers are particularly worried about a suspected outbreak near Eyemouth in Berwickshire, where there are pigs as well as cattle and sheep.
Pigs develop the disease very quickly and are particularly contagious.
Many farmers there buy their sheep from the Longtown Market in Cumbria. Growing fear Several cases of the disease have already traced back to the market. The snows which left thousands without power and blocked off roads are now starting to melt. That will enable the flocks to be examined, prompting a growing fear that many of them will show symptoms of the virus. There are also concerns over the wind, which has been blowing from north to south until now.