Israel still has not received official confirmation of alleged hoof-and-mouth disease incidents within the Palestinian Authority, but in the belief that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, has already transferred 200,000 portions of vaccine to the PA. The PA reported on Friday that it had detected 13 cases of the disease, fulfilling Israel\'s biggest fears in its efforts to prevent it from reaching Israel. Israeli veterinary officials had said that the weak link in their efforts was the PA and possible infection there. Israeli officials are still awaiting official PA reports and blood samples from cattle infected with the disease.



Israeli health officials emphasize that the sickness is dangerous to livestock, but cannot infect humans. The government of Jordan today banned the import of PA meats into the Hashemite Kingdom.