LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: The fear of foot-and-mouth disease is spreading in Europe. Live stocks in Germany, France, and the Netherlands are now being destroyed, out of concerns they may have been exposed to the virus. In Britain, where the outbreak was first detected, almost two dozen cases have been confirmed. CNN's Jennifer Eccleston reports from the town of Devon.</s>JENNIFER ECLLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Local farmers and officials here are starting to get a better idea of the extent of the outbreak. There are four confirmed cases here in Devon. Two more cases are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. Now, I spoke to a member of the National Farmers Union. He said the outbreak couldn't have come at but worst time. Many of the farmers here were beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel after the BSE crisis. This outbreak could spell the end to a number of small- and medium-sized farmers here in Devon. But the farmers are doing all they can to stem the outbreak. The countryside is under a virtual quarantine. I spoke to a woman whose mother and father live on one of those farms that are in quarantine. They are both cattle farmers. They've been doing that for 16 years. In fact, this morning he oversaw the birth of two calfs, knowing full well that those two and the rest of his livestock will be slaughtered in the coming hours. And his daughter couldn't even console him in person. Because they are under quarantine, no visitors are allowed. She had to do it on -- over the phone. So this disease is beginning to take its toll on this tightly- knit farming community. Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Devon, England.
Fear of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spreading in Europe