Media

No foot-and-mouth disease in Finland

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Publication date 26.5.2003 11.48
Press release -

The sample for foot-and-mouth disease taken from bovine animal in northern Finland has tested negative. The tests from the sick animal concerned and other animals of the farm were tested in Denmark, and the results which arrived on Monday 26 May showed that there is no foot-and-mouth disease on the farm. The restrictive orders are lifted today.

The examination into the illness of the animal continue. The symptoms may have been caused by a virus infection. At this stage the most probable diagnosis is malignant catarrhal fever.

Malignant catarrhal fever usually occurs in isolated cases, and it was last found in Finland in 1999. It is caused by herpes virus, and it cannot be communicated to humans.



More information.

Mr Matti Aho, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358-(0)9-160 53380

Ms Jessica Eriksson, Senior Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358-(0)9-160 53437, 050-553 9212